Synthesis of Graphitic Carbon Coated ZnPS3 and its Superior Electrochemical Properties for Lithium and Sodium Ion Storage

Graphitic carbon‐coated ZnPS3 is prepared via direct phosphosulfurization and high energy mechanical milling (HEMM) with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and first introduced as an anode for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). The HEMM process with MWCNTs reduces the particle size of as‐synthesized ZnPS3 bulk to 100–500 nm and yields the ≈5 nm thick graphitic carbon coated ZnPS3 nanoparticles, which are the nanocomposites of 5 nm sized nanocrystallites embedded in the amorphous matrix. The ZnPS3 electrode undergoes the combined conversion and alloying reactions with Li and Na ions and exhibits high initial discharge and charge capacities in both LIBs and SIBs. The graphitic carbon‐coated ZnPS3 electrode exhibits excellent high‐rate capability and long‐term cyclability. The superior electrochemical properties can be attributed to high electrical conductivity, high Li ion mobility, and high reversibility and structural stability derived from the graphitic carbon‐coated nanoparticles. This study demonstrates that the novel graphitic carbon‐coated ZnPS3 is a promising anode material for both LIBs and SIBs and the graphitic carbon coating methodology by HEMM is expected to apply to the various metal oxides, sulfides, and phosphides. Graphitic carbon‐coated ZnPS3 nanoparticles are introduced as a novel anode for both lithium‐ion batteries and sodium‐ion batteries. Graphitic carbon layer is uniformly coated on ZnPS3 during the high‐energy mechanical milling process with a multiwall carbon nanotube. The graphitic carbon‐coated ZnPS3 electrode shows a high reversible capacity and excellent cycle stability for LIBs and SIBs.