Solvothermal synthesis of Sb2S3/C composite nanorods with excellent Li-storage performance

• Sb2S3/C composite nanorods were synthesized successfully by an l-cysteine-assisted solvothermal treatment.
• Sb2S3/C composite delivered a high reversible specific capacity of 1084 mA h g−1.
• Sb2S3/C composite showed a good cyclability and a superior rate capability.

Hierarchical Sb2S3/C composite nanorods are synthesized successfully by a novel l-cysteine-assisted solvothermal treatment. The as-synthesized Sb2S3/C composite is found to display a high reversible specific capacity of 1084 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1, a good cyclability of 960 mA h g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 after 30 cycles, and a superior rate capability of 1019 mA h g−1 at a current density of 4000 mA g−1 when evaluated as an electrode candidate material for lithium-ion batteries.