FeS@tubular mesoporous carbon as high capacity and long cycle life anode materials for lithium- and sodium-ions batteries

An ordered tubular FeS@tubular mesoporous carbon composite consisting of FeS nanoparticles and tubular mesoporous carbon (CMK-5) is synthesized as anode material for Li- and Na-ions batteries. For applications in Li-ion batteries, the FeS@CMK-5 anode maintains a high reversible capacity of 720 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles at 200 mA g −1 , much better than that of pristine FeS (166 mAh g −1 ) and CMK-5 (472 mAh g −1 ). Na-ion storage measurements reveal that the FeS@CMK-5 composite delivers a reversible capacity of 445 and 391 mAh g −1 , respectively, at the current density of 1000 and 5000 mA g −1 over 100 cycles. The excellent electrochemical properties of FeS@CMK-5 for Li- and Na-ions storage can be attributed to its special structural superiority, which effectively accommodates the volume change, improves the electrical conductivity , and shortens the diffusion paths of Li- and Na-ions during the insertion/extraction process.