The electrochemical characteristics of Ag2S and its nanocomposite anodes for Li-ion batteries

The suitability of silver sulfide (Ag2S) and its nanocomposite Ag2S/C, prepared by simple solid-state synthetic routes such as high-energy mechanical milling and heat treatment, for use as anode materials in rechargeable Li-ion batteries has been investigated. A well-developed Ag2S phase is identified from X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and XRD and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations confirm that Ag2S nanocrystallites in Ag2S/C are uniformly distributed within an amorphous carbon matrix. The electrochemical reaction mechanism of Ag2S with Li is identified by ex situ XRD analyses of an Ag2S/C nanocomposite electrode. The Ag2S/C nanocomposite anode shows good cycling behavior and a high capacity of about 430 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles.

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► Silver sulfide (Ag2S) and its nanocomposite (Ag2S/C) are prepared by simple solid-state synthetic routes.
► The Ag2S/C nanocomposite anode shows good electrochemical performance.
► The electrochemical reaction mechanism of Ag2S with Li is identified using ex situ XRD analyses.