Enhanced Lithium-Ion Storage Capability of a Bismuth Sulfide/Graphene Oxide/Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Composite

A Bi2S3/graphene oxide (GO) composite enwrapped by a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coating was prepared for the first time for use as an anode in Li-ion batteries. Pristine Bi2S3 nanoflowers and composites of Bi2S3/GO and Bi2S3/GO/PEDOT were assembled into half cells with Li metal as the counter electrode, and initial discharge capacities of 833, 1020, and 1300mAhg(-1), respectively, were obtained. Composites of Bi2S3/GO/PEDOT and Bi2S3/GO showed superior cycling stability and better rate capability than pristine Bi2S3. GO provides highly conducting interconnections, which allow facile propagation of electrons during charge/discharge, and this improves the ion-uptake capability of the Bi2S3 nanoflowers and also increases the rate capability. PEDOT furnishes a protective coating that prevents detachment of the material from the current collector during cycling, and it also imparts better cycling stability to the Bi2S3/GO/PEDOT composite.