Enhancing Sodium-Ion Transport by Hollow Nanotube Structure Design of a V5S8@C Anode for Sodium-Ion Batteries

V5S8has received extensive attention in the field of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its two-dimensional (2D) layered structure, and weak van der Waals forces between V–S accelerate the transport of sodium ions. However, the long-term cycling of V5S8still suffers from volume expansion and low conductivity. Herein, a hollow nanotube V5S8@C (H-V5S8@C) with improved conductivity was synthesized by a solvothermal method to alleviate cracking caused by volume expansion. Benefiting from the large specific surface area of the hollow nanotube structure and uniform carbon coating, H-V5S8@C exhibits a more active site and enhanced conductivity. Meanwhile, the heterojunction formed by a few residual MoS2and the outer layer of V5S8stabilizes the structure and reduces the ion migration barrier with fast Na+transport. Specifically, the H-V5S8@C anode provides an enhanced rate performance of 270.1 mAh g–1at 15 A g–1and high cycling stability of 291.7 mAh g–1with a retention rate of 90.98% after 300 cycles at 5 A g–1. This work provides a feasible approach for the structural design of 2D layered materials, which can promote the practical application of fast-charging sodium-ion batteries.