Synthesis, assembly, and electrochemical performance of ultrasmall Sb2S3 nanoparticles

Abstract

A synthetic pathway to ultrasmall antimony(III) sulfide nanoparticles is demonstrated using scalable, room-temperature, and open-atmosphere procedures that only requires commonly available precursors. The synthesis is accompanied by the immediate self-assembly of nanoparticles, which is characterized using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). During the synthesis, particles assemble into stable mesophases that exhibit unusual ‘rod-like’ hexagonal packing, which is unexpected from discrete nanoparticles lacking crystallographic registry. It is demonstrated that the resulting superstructures are effectively manipulated by compositional changes to the ligand and solvent environment. Ligands, which are chemically related short-chain alkyl molecules, direct the assembly of Sb₂S₃ nanoparticles and also influence the performance of negative electrodes in Li⁺ and Na⁺ battery systems. Integration of Sb₂S₃ materials in batteries yields impressive capacity, charge/discharge rates, and cyclability.