Improved electrochemical properties of In2S3/g-C3N4 nanocomposite for application as anodes in lithium and sodium ion batteries

• First report on the effect of g-C 3 N 4 on In 2 S 3 nanoparticles used as anode for Li/Na ion battery. • g-C 3 N 4 matrix improves the electrode/electrolyte contact through enhanced surface area and pore volume. • 0.8In 2 S 3 :0.2 g-C 3 N 4 delivers reversible capacity of ∼ 358 mAh g −1 /1000 cycles/0.5 Ag −1 in LIB. • 0.8In 2 S 3 :0.2 g-C 3 N 4 delivers reversible capacity of ∼ 302 mAh g −1 /500 cycles/0.5 Ag −1 in SIB. In this work, the electrochemical properties of In 2 S 3 anode material have been successfully enhanced by its composite formation using graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ). The 0.8In 2 S 3 :0.2 g-C 3 N 4 composite delivers a reversible capacity of ∼ 358 mAh g −1 /1000 cycles vs. Li metal and ∼ 302 mAh g −1 /500 cycles vs. Na metal at current rate of 0.5 A g −1 . The g-C 3 N 4 matrix improves the ion transfer properties, alleviates the volume alteration happening in the anode during the discharge/charge process and also helps in preventing the leaching of polysulfides generated during the electrochemical process.