CuS-CTAB Hierarchical Microspheres Anchored on Carbon Fibers as a Flexible Anode for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Despite the numerous advantages of using zinc metal as an anode in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), there are significant challenges, such as dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion, that hinder the long-term development of ZIBs. To overcome these obstacles, we have developed CuS-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) hierarchical microspheres on carbon fiber (CuS-CTAB@CF) as an alternative anode material for ZIBs. The CuS-CTAB@CF can directly serve as a self-standing flexible anode, thereby simplifying the battery preparation process. The CF acts as a natural conductive network, eliminating the need for conductive carbon black, and its large surface area provides abundant active sites for the growth of CuS-CTAB hierarchical microspheres, ensuring the involvement of an ample amount of active substances in the reaction. The good electronic conductivity of the CF can ensure fast electron transportation. The hierarchical structures with sufficient void space can effectively buffer the volume expansion of anode materials. When evaluated as an anode for ZIBs, the CuS-CTAB@CF exhibits superior electrochemical performance compared to that of pure CuS-CTAB. The CuS-CTAB@CF anode delivers a discharge capacity of 144 mAh g–1 after 98 cycles at a current density of 10 A g–1, while the CuS-CTAB anode only achieves a capacity of 87 mAh g–1 after 80 cycles at the same current density. This work will contribute to the advancement of anode materials for ZIBs and provide valuable insights into further research in this field.