Cube-like Sb2Se3/C constructed by ultrathin nanosheets as anode material for lithium and sodium-ion batteries

Metal chalcogenides are considered as promising anode materials for lithium and sodium-ion batteries because of their large theoretical capacities. However, large volume expansion and low conductivity still limit their practical applications. In this work, three-dimensional cube-like Sb2Se3/C assembled by ultrathin nanosheets is prepared by a facile solvothermal method and a carbonization process. The as-achieved cube-like Sb2Se3/C displays good electrochemical performance both in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). When applied as anode for LIBs, a capacity of 440.9 mAh g−1 can be maintained after 100 cycles at the current density of 0.2 A g−1. When used as the anode for SIBs, it exhibits the discharge capacity of 433 mAh g−1 at the 100th cycle at 0.2 A g−1.