Microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis of Ni1.5Co1.5S4 as high-performance electrode material for lithium storage

Bimetallic nickel cobalt sulfide (Ni1.5Co1.5S4) is successfully fabricated by an ultrafast and cost-effective microwave assisted hydrothermal method. When used as electrode material for lithium-ion batteries, Ni1.5Co1.5S4 exhibits the remarkable electrochemical performance in terms of superior cycling stability, excellent specific capacity and good rate capability. A high specific capacity of 443 mA h g−1 after 200 charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 is achieved. Even at 1 A g−1, the sample still delivers a discharge capacity of 386 mA h g−1 with a high columbic efficiency of 99.6% after 500 cycles.