Multipod Bi(Cu_2-xS)_n Nanocrystals formed by Dynamic Cation-Ligand Complexation and Their Use as Anodes for Potassium-Ion Batteries.

ABSTRACT: We report the formation of an intermediate lamellar Cu-thiolate complex, and tuning its relative stability using alkylphosphonic acids are crucial to enabling controlled heteronucleation to form Bi(Cu_2-xS)_n heterostructures with a tunable number of Cu_2-xS stems on a Bi core. The denticity of the phosphonic acid group, concentration, and chain length of alkylphosphonic acids are critical factors determining the stability of the Cu-thiolate complex. Increasing the stability of the Cu-thiolate results in single Cu_2-xS stem formation, and decreased stability of the Cu-thiolate complex increases the degree of heteronucleation to form multiple Cu_2-xS stems on the Bi core. Spatially separated multiple Cu_2-xS stems transform into a support network to hold a fragmented Bi core when used as an anode in a K-ion battery, leading to a more stable cycling performance showing a specific capacity of ∼170 mAh·g^-1 after 200 cycles compared to ∼111 mAh·g^-1 for Bi-Cu_2-xS single-stem heterostructures.

SUBMITTER: Kapuria N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9801429 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature