MOF-derived rod-like composites consisting of iron sulfides embedded in nitrogen-rich carbon as high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes

Rod-like porous composites of iron sulfides embedded in nitrogen-rich carbon have been synthesized through a simultaneous carbonization and sulfuration process of the Fe-based metal-organic framework (MIL-88) for the first time. The composites exhibit combined advantages of the porous structure, uniform distribution of iron sulfide nanoparticles and increased conductivity. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the composites show a high reversible capacity of 936.3 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles and an exceptional high-rate capability (1128, 1056, 989, 912, 841 mAh g−1 at the current densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 A g−1, respectively). The results indicate that the composites could be a promising candidate for anode materials in LIBs.