Pulsed laser deposited Sb2Se3 anode for lithium-ion batteries

Sb2Se3 thin film has been successfully fabricated by reactive pulsed laser deposition and was investigated for its electrochemistry with lithium for the first time. The reversible discharge capacities of Sb2Se3/Li cells cycled between 0.3 and 2.5 V were found in the range of 530.5–660.7 mAh g−1 during the first 100 cycles. By using ex situ X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and selected-area electron diffraction measurements, both classical alloying process and the selenylation/reduction of nanosized metallic antimony were proposed in the lithium electrochemical reaction of Sb2Se3. Sb2Se3 has high reversible capacity and good cycle performance, which makes it potential anode material for future lithium-ion batteries.