ZnS-PANI nanocomposite with enhanced electrochemical performances for lithium-ion batteries

A simple two-step method of coprecipitation followed by polymerization successfully yielded ZnS-PANI nanocomposite. This composite was characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, BET, and XPS. The results indicate that the morphology of the ZnS-PANI nanocomposite possesses a uniform spherical shape. The ZnS-PANI electrode shows an excellent initial discharge capacity of 1182.1 mAh/g, a high discharge capacity of 693.5 mAh/g at a current rate of 0.1 °C after 500 cycles, good cycling stability, and an excellent rate capability of 673 mAh/g at 2.0 °C, when used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The excellent electrochemical performances make the nanosized ZnS-PANI nanocomposite a promising candidate for the LIBs.