Double-Source Approach to In₂S₃ Single Crystallites and Their Electrochemical Properties

Novel cubic and tetragonal In 2 S 3 hollow microspheres consisting of nanoflakes, as well as cubic In 2 S 3 nanoflakes, were synthesized via a double-sulfur-source approach using InCl 3 ·4H 2 O as the indium source under solvothermal conductions. Cubic and tetragonal In 2 S 3 hollow microspheres with an average diameter of 5−15 μm reveal flat and clean nanoflakes inside the microspheres; the In 2 S 3 nanoflakes have an average thickness of 10 nm. The samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, SAED, HRTEM, and XPS. Electrochemical tests show that these cubic In 2 S 3 nanoflakes deliver an astoundingly large discharge capacity of 1150 mA h g -1 vs Li metal at 0.032 mA cm -2 (voltage window of 0−3.0 V) compared with that of ordinary cathode materials. The obtained sample might find promising application as an electrode material in lithium ion batteries.