A novel anode material of antimony nitride for rechargeable lithium batteries

Antimony nitride thin film has been successfully fabricated by magnetron sputtering method and its electrochemistry with lithium was investigated for the first time. The reversible discharge capacity of Sb3N/Li cells cycled between 0.3 V and 3.0 V was found above 600 mAh/g. By using transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction measurements, the conversion reaction of Sb3N into Li3Sb and Li3N was revealed during the lithium electrochemical reaction of Sb3N thin film electrode. The high reversible capacity and the good cycleability made Sb3N one of promising anode materials for future rechargeable lithium batteries.

Graphical abstractSb3N thin film prepared by R.F. sputtering deposition possess very high electrochemical activity. As shown in the specific capacities of Sb3N thin film as a function of the cycle number, the initial discharge capacity of the as-deposited thin film is found to be 748 mAh/g, and the second discharge capacity is about 629 mAh/g. The discharge capacities of Sb3N increase from the second cycle and the maximum value can achieve 825 mAh/g. For comparison, the cycle performance of Sb thin film prepared by R.F. sputtering deposition is also showed. This result suggests that Sb3N can improve the reversible performance of Sb with Li.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide