A nanowire-on-microrod polyaniline@FeS2 hybrid as the cathode in high-performance Al-ion batteries.

A nanowire-on-microrod structured polyaniline (PANI)@FeS2 hybrid was developed via a facile metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived chemical method. The in situ grown PANI nanowires on the surface of pyramidal FeS2 microrods displayed better mechanical flexibility and improved Al-storage performance. The PANI nanowires not only enhanced electron transfer during the electrochemical reaction, but also accommodated the volume expansion of FeS2 during discharge. The PANI@FeS2 hybrid as the cathode in AIBs delivered a reliable battery capacity of 152.8 mA h g−1 along with a Coulombic efficiency of >96.5% after 500 cycles at a current density of 1.5 A g−1. In addition, a high capacity retention of 160.2 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 0.5 A g−1 at −10 °C was achieved. These findings provide a feasible strategy by constructing a nanowire-on-microrod hybrid that can be applied in high-performance secondary batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]