Understanding copper sulfide formation from layered template and their use as power electrode materials in aqueous electrolyte

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry 2024-04, Vol.332, p.124592, Article 124592
• Main Authors: Sarmet, Julien, Leroux, Fabrice, Taviot Gueho, Christine, Gerlach, Patrick, Douard, Camille, Brousse, Thierry, Toussaint, Gwenaëlle, Stevens, Philippe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Copper sulfide; High-power battery; Inorganic chemistry; JMAK model; Layered hydroxide salts; Material chemistry
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2024.124592

Copper sulfide has received increasing attention as an electrode material in past decades. In this study, we report the synthesis of copper sulfide with layered copper hydroxide salt (LHS) (Cu2(OH)3NO3) precursors using different protocols. X-ray diffraction suggests the presence of numerous non-stoichiometric phases (Cu1-xS) and not a pure covellite phase and SEM images show particles with flower-like shape but different in size. The solid-state kinetic parameters of the reaction refined by the JMAK method indicate a pseudomorphic transformation controlled by 1D diffusion, different in term of precursors phase, reagents and protocol applied. The microwave method needs less energy to achieve the transformation than the amine digestion (AD) method and the morphology of particles is also different. Tested in sodium acetate electrolyte, CuS provides a maximum capacity of 67 mAh/g for AD, which is much higher than for the commercial grade CuS. This is explained by the difference in nanostructuration of the flower-like shape particles obtained from the layered template. Finally, CuS is used as both a positive and negative electrode material in a complete aqueous battery system but its redox process, which is strongly diffusion limited especially in the lower potential domain, prevents the whole system from operating at high power. Transformation of layered copper hydroxynitrate to copper sulfide, different synthesis and electrochemical behavior as a symmetric battery device. [Display omitted] •Copper sulfide was synthesized by using template-assisted method from layered copper hydroxynitrate.•Pseudo-morphic kinetic transformations depending on synthesis ways was investigated using JMAK model.•A symmetric aqueous battery device was built using copper sulfide and a capacity of 66 mAh/g was raised.