Synthesis of Mn(OH)(OCH3) as a Novel Precursor for 2D MnS‐Based Lithium‐ and Sodium‐Ion Battery Anode Materials**

Abstract Manganese sulfides (MnS) are particularly appealing electrode candidates for lithium/sodium‐ion batteries, because of their low cost, wide availability, and environmental benignity. Herein, well‐defined Mn(OH)(OCH 3 ) nanoflakes are synthesized for the first time, whereby two‐dimensional (2D) porous α‐MnS and its composite with N, S co‐doped carbon (α‐MnS@NSC) are produced via the topologic sulfurization of Mn(OH)(OCH 3 ) or a Mn(OH)(OCH 3 )@polydopamine intermediate. The electrochemical lithium/sodium‐storage properties of α‐MnS are most likely governed by the conductivity, and thus can be significantly enhanced through integrating with conductive carbon coating. As a result, α‐MnS@NSC outperforms the bare α‐MnS and most of the reported MnS‐based anodes, demonstrating the high reversible capacities (1275 mA h g −1 at 0.2 A g −1 for LIBs and 581 mA h g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 for SIBs), great rate capability, and long cyclabilities. This work showcases both a novel strategy to fabricate 2D manganese‐based compounds and a preferred architecture for high performance lithium/sodium‐ion batteries.