Zirconium disulfides as an electrode material alternative for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

In this study, we report the electrochemical reaction mechanism and structural evolution of zirconium disulfide (ZrS2) electrode materials for Li-ion batteries, analogous to titanium disulfide (TiS2), known as the first intercalation compound. To minutely explore the electrochemical behaviors of the ZrS2 electrode in Li-ion cells, we conducted galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry measurements at different depths of discharge, thereby observing the reaction change characteristics between the intercalation and conversion reactions. Furthermore, structural changes in the ZrS2 electrodes collected at different electrochemical states were investigated by ex-situ characterizations to identify the electrochemical reaction behaviors in detail. Our basic study on ZrS2 can provide important information and directions for those considering the electrochemical properties and design of ZrS2 for alkali-ion batteries.