WS2 nanosheets@ZIF-67-derived N-doped carbon composite as sodium ion battery anode with superior rate capability.

[Display omitted] • This work provides a novel and reliable insight for designing bimetallic sulfide with 2D nanostructure. • Laurel-leaf-like Co 9 S 8 /WS 2 @NC delivers a capacity of 359 mA h g−1 at 5.0 A g−1 • This as-prepared bimetallic sulfide exhibits a high capacitive contribution ratio of 90.8%. • The excellent performance originates from interface electric field and synergistic effects Co 9 S 8 and WS 2. Devising novel composite electrodes with particular structural/electrochemical characteristics becomes an efficient strategy to advance the performance of rechargeable battery. Herein, considering the homogeneous transition metal sulfide with N-doped carbon derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) and WS 2 with large interlayer spacing, a laurel-leaf-like Co 9 S 8 /WS 2 @N-doped carbon bimetallic sulfide (Co 9 S 8 /WS 2 @NC) is engineered and prepared via a step-by-step method. As an electrode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), Co 9 S 8 /WS 2 @NC composite delivers high capacities of 480 and 405 mA h g−1 at 0.1 and 1.0 A g−1, respectively. As the current density increases from 0.1 to 5.0 A g−1, it provides specific capacity of 359 mA h g−1 with a capacity retention rate of 78.0%, which is higher than that of Co 9 S 8 @NC (63.5%) and WS 2 (58.6%). The Co 9 S 8 /WS 2 @NC composite anode maintains a stable specific capacity (354 mA h g−1 at 2.0 A g−1). It also exhibits a high capacitive contribution ratio of 90.8% at 1.0 mV s−1. This study provides a new and reliable insight for designing bimetallic sulfide with two-dimensional nanostructure for energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]