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Pomegranate-shaped Sn/SnO x /nanocarbon composites are fabricated via a simple one-step solvothermal method. The Sn and SnO x nanoparticles are uniformly embedded in the sheet-like nanocarbon membranes. As the anode of lithium-ion battery, the pomegranate-shaped Sn/SnO x /nanocarbon composites exhibit ultrafast-charging and long-life performance. At super high current rate of 10 C, 15 C and 20 C (the charging process is shortened to merely 6, 4 and 3 min, respectively), the reversible capacity of pomegranate-shaped Sn/SnO x /nanocarbon composites is 545, 467 and 421 mAh g −1 , respectively. After 2000 cycles, the capacity can still maintain at 192, 139 and 101 mAh g −1 at 10 C, 15 C and 20 C rate, respectively. Even after 5000 cycles at 15 C rate, the discharge capacity can still keep at 135 mAh g −1 . Such superior performance can be attributed to the unique structure, good electronic conductivity, short paths for lithium diffusion and interfacial charging mechanism. The present results indicate a new way to produce pomegranate-shaped metal/metal-oxide/nanocarbon composites with ultrafast-charging/long-life lithium-storage performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of promising anode materials with high capacity represent great challenge for LIBs and SIBs. Zinc sulfide (ZnS), has attracted more attention owing to its high capacity and abundant resource. However, the poor cycle performance have seriously hinder the practical application, which induced by the seriously volume expansion during the lithiation process. In this work, in-situ growth of the ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) on 3D N-doped carbon architecture (ZnS/NC) have been prepared by a simple method. In such a architecture, the N-doped carbon can not only avoid the volume change of ZnS, but also much improve the conductivity of hybrids, as well as facilitate a fast ions/electrons transport. As a result, the ZnS/NC composite exhibits outstanding cycle performance (377.1 mAh g−1 after 400 cycles at 1.0 A g−1) and outstanding rate performance (404 mA h g−1 at 3 A g−1) for LIBs. As for SIBs, a high reversible capacity of 244.1 mAh g−1 is obtained after 900 cycles at 1.0 A g−1, and high even at 3.0 A g−1, high reversible capacity of 241 mAh g−1 is also achieved, demonstrating excellent cycling performance and rate performance. • ZnS nanoparticles decorated on 3D N-doped carbon architecture was synthesized. • The N-doped carbon architecture can maintain structural stability during cycling process. • ZnS/NC composite exhibit high reversible capacity and outstanding cycling performance for LIBs. • ZnS/NC composite demonstrate long-term cycling stability and excellent rate capability for SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]