Construction of MnS nanocubes confined in N, S co-doped carbon as high-performance anodes for sodium-ion batteries

[Display omitted] •In situ formed C-S-Mn bonds restrict aggregations of MnS nanocubes.•Confinement effect of carbon mitigates volume change of MnS in Na-storage process.•Synergistic effect endows MnS@NSC anode with superb Na-storage properties.•Ex-situ XRD result confirms a conversion mechanism of MnS@NSC for Na-storage. Profiting from the huge natural abundance and high theoretical capacity, manganese sulfides (MnS) have triggered abundant interest and attention, which are expected as highly prospective anodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Nevertheless, their wide utilizations are seriously impeded by the drawbacks of low electric conductivity, extensive volumetric changes, and sluggish insertion/extraction kinetics, which often result in a rapid deterioration of the capacity and cyclic lifespan for SIBs. Herein, MnS nanocubes confined in N, S co-doped carbon (NSC) matrix are manufactured through a simple hydrothermal with the following sulfurization method. The incorporation of carbon improves the electric conductivity to accelerate electron transport and guards the structural integrality of MnS in the long-term cycling process via the confinement effect. The in situ formed sulfur-bridged bonds (C-S-Mn) provide an intimate affinity between the MnS nanocubes and NSC matrix, which effectively prevents the aggregation and mitigates the volumetric variation of MnS nanocubes in the sodiation/desodiation reactions. Moreover, the hierarchically porous structures in MnS@NSC offer rapid diffusion pathways for Na+ ions that effectively enhance the diffusion kinetics. Benefiting from the admirable synergistic effects between the hierarchically porous MnS nanocubes and conductive NSC framework, the MnS@NSC anode delivers satisfied sodium storage properties.