The reasonable construction of Zn_xIn_yS/MXene heterostructures, combined with the unique advantages of 2D Ti₃C₂T_X nanosheets and bimetallic MOF structures, was employed for morphological analysis and electrochemical performance tests. The results unequivocally demonstrate that the nanotube structure and carbon coating characteristics confer benefits in terms of increased contact area between electrolyte and electrode materials as well as enhanced conductivity. Moreover, the material exhibits excellent reversible capacity even after prolonged cycles, indicative of a rapid charge transfer rate.

Abstract

Nanostructured metal sulfides (MSs) are considered promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high specific capacity and abundant raw material resources. However, the practical application of these materials faces challenges such as poor conductivity and volume expansion. To address these issues and enhance the performance of LIBs, it is crucial to tackle the structural design problem associated with Zn_xIn_yS anode material. The utilization of metal sulfides derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) not only improves conductivity but also mitigates the issue of volume expansion in metal sulfides. Furthermore, connecting the metal sulfides derived from MOF to various conductive substrates can further enhance their conductivity. Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes), a novel type of 2D material with plentiful functional groups and chemical properties, offer great potential. In this study, we have strategically constructed Zn_xIn_yS/MXene heterostructures by combining the advantages of 2D Ti₃C₂T_X nanosheets and bimetallic MOF structures. The results demonstrate that due to the synergistic effect between MXene and heterostructure, a significant number of lattice defects and ample buffer space are provided, resulting in excellent lithium storage performance and fast ion diffusion kinetics for the electrode. In cyclic performance tests conducted at a current density of 0.5 A ⋅ g⁻¹, an outstanding lithium storage capacity of 1300 mAh ⋅ g⁻¹ was achieved after 450 cycles.