Nanoconfined ReS₂ in biomass-derived 3D porous N-doped carbon architecture as anode for stable lithium-ion storage

Rhenium disulfide (ReS₂) has emerged as a promissing host material toward energy storage for its distinctive electronic, optical, and mechanical features. Nevertheless, structural damage during repeated charge-discharges and inferior conductivity have severely impaired the electrochemical performance of ReS₂. Effective incorporation with carbon component is a feasible pathway to cope with these issues. In this work, employing glucosamine as carbon and nitrogen sources, small ReS₂ nanoparticles are easily encapsulated into hierarchical porous N-doped carbon networks to obtain ReS_2-NC hybrids via a freeze-drying and subsequent annealing method. The hierarchical porous structure and the confining effect of carbon matrix on ReS₂ nanoparticles can effectively inhibit the aggregation, maintain the structural stability as well as guarantee the rapid ion diffusion and electron transfer. As a consequence, ReS_2-NC hybrid anode achieves an extremely improved electrochemical property for lithium-storage. The optimized ReS_2-NC electrode can remain a high capacity of ~676 mAh g⁻¹ as 500 cycles under 0.1 A g⁻¹ are completed. Besides, as it cycles for 500 loops under 1 A g⁻¹, a capacity of ~387 mAh g⁻¹ is still kept, demonstrating enhanced rate capability.