Simple synthesis of a porous Sb/Sb2O3 nanocomposite for a high-capacity anode material in Na-ion batteries

High-capacity anode materials are highly desirable for sodium ion batteries.Here,a porous Sb/Sb2O3 nanocomposite is successfully synthesized by the mild oxidization of Sb nanocrystals in air.In the composite,Sb contributes good conductivity and Sb2O3 improves cycling stability,particularly within the voltage window of 0.02-1.5 V.It remains at a reversible capacity of 540 mAh·g-1 after 180 cycles at 0.66 A·g-L Even at 10 A·g-1,the reversible capacity is still preserved at 412 mAh.g-1,equivalent to 71.6％ of that at 0.066 A.g-1.These results are much better than Sb nanocrystals with a similar size and structure.Expanding the voltage window to 0.02-2.5 V includes the conversion reaction between Sb2O3 and Sb into the discharge/charge profiles.This would induce a large volume change and high structure strain/stress,deteriorating the cycling stability.The identification of a proper voltage window for Sb/Sb2O3 paves the way for its development in sodium ion batteries.