Enhanced electrochemical performances of B/N co-doped carbon-covered FeS microspheres as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Iron sulfides with high theoretical capacity and low cost have shown great promise as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Although FeS-based compounds show attractive advantages, the low conductivity and the volume change of the electrode during cycles are the main factors hindering their practical applications. In the present study, we report the design and synthesis of FeS microsphere particles embedded in boron and nitrogen co-doped carbon materials (NBC/FeS) by a one-pot method. The synthesized NBC/FeS anode material is expected to exhibit outstanding lithium storage performances. As a result, the NBC/FeS delivers a high specific capacity (972.6 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g after 70 cycles), excellent rate capacity, and long-life cycling stability as a LIB anode. Moreover, the synthesis conditions of the anode materials and the electrochemical properties are characterized and analyzed to determine the crucial factors associated with the improved performances.