Double surfactant-directed controllable synthesis of Sb2S3 crystals with comparable electrochemical performances

Abstract

The controlled synthesis of one-dimensional and three-dimensional Sb₂S₃ nanostructures has been achieved by employing a double surfactant (PVP and glucose). By controlling the concentration of PVP, the size of nanorods can be readily tuned. An addition of glucose brings different morphologies and nanostructures to the final products. These materials were characterized by a serious of characterization methods, and their formation mechanisms are detailedly discussed. Their electrochemical behavior as electrode reactants for lithium ion batteries were evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and static charge–discharge cycles. Pg2–1 (PVP : glucose = 2 : 1) exhibits the best electrochemical performance. A direct comparison of the electrochemical behavior reflects an interesting “small size/large dimension effect”, which is reasonably discussed in terms of how rod sizes and nanostructures of Sb₂S₃ materials function in tuning their electrochemistry.