Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanism

Rechargeable aluminum ion batteries (AIBs) hold promises as the next generation of electrochemical energy storage systems, characterized by low cost, high specific energy, and enhanced safety. One of the primary obstacles hindering the development of AIBs is the scarcity of suitable cathode material...

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Main Authors: Ruiyuan Zhuang, Jianhong Yang, Jian-chun Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Electrochemistry Communications
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388248125001286
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author Ruiyuan Zhuang
Jianhong Yang
Jian-chun Wu
author_facet Ruiyuan Zhuang
Jianhong Yang
Jian-chun Wu
author_sort Ruiyuan Zhuang
collection DOAJ
description Rechargeable aluminum ion batteries (AIBs) hold promises as the next generation of electrochemical energy storage systems, characterized by low cost, high specific energy, and enhanced safety. One of the primary obstacles hindering the development of AIBs is the scarcity of suitable cathode materials. Here, a novel cobalt sulfide@carbon nanofibers (Co9S8@CNFs) composite material was synthesized through electrostatic spinning, heat treatment, and sulfurization processes. The composite material consists of Co9S8 nanoparticles uniformly anchored on interconnected CNFs to form a three-dimensional (3D) porous network structure, which is conducive to the penetration of electrolyte. Structural and morphological analysis confirmed the high crystallinity of Co9S8 and its uniform distribution on CNFs. The in-situ growth of Co9S8 nanoparticles on the surface of CNFs helps shorten the migration path of electrons and effectively solves the problem of peeling off from the CNFs substrate during charging and discharging process. As a self-supporting cathode for AIBs, the electrode exhibits good cycle life. Electrochemical evaluation demonstrated a reversible discharge capacity of ∼60 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 with stable cycling performance over 400 cycles. The composite cathode exhibited small charge transfer resistance and improved ion diffusion kinetics, attributed to the conductive CNFs network and 3D porous structure. First-principles calculations further elucidate the energy storage mechanism, revealing that Al3+ preferentially replaces Co atoms in the Co9S8 lattice during cycling, with a formation energy of 0.92 eV. This work emphasizes the synergistic effect of Co9S8@CNFs integration in alleviating rapid capacity degradation and enhancing structural stability, providing a promising strategy for designing high-performance AIB cathodes.
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spelling doaj-art-3a6a1e6740cb4c6ea38aeb55b95fad7a2025-08-20T03:56:42ZengElsevierElectrochemistry Communications1388-24812025-08-0117710798910.1016/j.elecom.2025.107989Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanismRuiyuan Zhuang0Jianhong Yang1Jian-chun Wu2School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jiaxing Nanhu University, Jiaxing 314000, PR China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China; Corresponding author at: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jiaxing Nanhu University, Jiaxing 314000, Zhejiang, China.School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, ChinaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, China; Corresponding author at: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China.Rechargeable aluminum ion batteries (AIBs) hold promises as the next generation of electrochemical energy storage systems, characterized by low cost, high specific energy, and enhanced safety. One of the primary obstacles hindering the development of AIBs is the scarcity of suitable cathode materials. Here, a novel cobalt sulfide@carbon nanofibers (Co9S8@CNFs) composite material was synthesized through electrostatic spinning, heat treatment, and sulfurization processes. The composite material consists of Co9S8 nanoparticles uniformly anchored on interconnected CNFs to form a three-dimensional (3D) porous network structure, which is conducive to the penetration of electrolyte. Structural and morphological analysis confirmed the high crystallinity of Co9S8 and its uniform distribution on CNFs. The in-situ growth of Co9S8 nanoparticles on the surface of CNFs helps shorten the migration path of electrons and effectively solves the problem of peeling off from the CNFs substrate during charging and discharging process. As a self-supporting cathode for AIBs, the electrode exhibits good cycle life. Electrochemical evaluation demonstrated a reversible discharge capacity of ∼60 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 with stable cycling performance over 400 cycles. The composite cathode exhibited small charge transfer resistance and improved ion diffusion kinetics, attributed to the conductive CNFs network and 3D porous structure. First-principles calculations further elucidate the energy storage mechanism, revealing that Al3+ preferentially replaces Co atoms in the Co9S8 lattice during cycling, with a formation energy of 0.92 eV. This work emphasizes the synergistic effect of Co9S8@CNFs integration in alleviating rapid capacity degradation and enhancing structural stability, providing a promising strategy for designing high-performance AIB cathodes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388248125001286Aluminum ion batteriesCo9S8@CNFs cathodeElectrochemical behaviorEnergy storage mechanism
spellingShingle Ruiyuan Zhuang
Jianhong Yang
Jian-chun Wu
Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanism
Electrochemistry Communications
Aluminum ion batteries
Co9S8@CNFs cathode
Electrochemical behavior
Energy storage mechanism
title Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanism
title_full Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanism
title_fullStr Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanism
title_full_unstemmed Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanism
title_short Co9S8@CNFs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3D synergy and co-dominated mechanism
title_sort co9s8 cnfs cathode enables stable aluminum storage with 3d synergy and co dominated mechanism
topic Aluminum ion batteries
Co9S8@CNFs cathode
Electrochemical behavior
Energy storage mechanism
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1388248125001286
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AT jianchunwu co9s8cnfscathodeenablesstablealuminumstoragewith3dsynergyandcodominatedmechanism