High-performance lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries have been developed utilizing a hybrid anode material composed of zinc sulfide/sulfurized polyacrylonitrile. The in situ-generated zinc sulfide nanoparticles serve as catalytic agents, significantly enhancing conductivity, shortening diffusion paths, and accelerating reaction kinetics. Simultaneously, the sulfurized polyacrylonitrile fibers form a three-dimensional matrix that not only provides a continuous network for rapid electron transfer but also prevents zinc sulfide nanoparticle aggregation and mitigates volume changes during charge–discharge cycles. Moreover, the heterointerface structure at the junction of zinc sulfide nanoparticles and the sulfurized polyacrylonitrile matrix increases the availability of active sites and facilitates both ion adsorption and electron transfer. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the zinc sulfide/sulfurized polyacrylonitrile hybrid demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 1178 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g⁻¹, maintaining a capacity of 788 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹. It also exhibits excellent sodium storage capabilities, retaining a capacity of 625 mAh g⁻¹ after 150 cycles at 0.2 A g⁻¹. Furthermore, ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ⁷Li solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and in situ Raman are employed to investigate the reaction mechanisms of the zinc sulfide/sulfurized polyacrylonitrile hybrid anode, providing valuable insights that pave the way for the advancement of hybrid anode materials in lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries.

Rechargeable lithium batteries are attractive power sources for electronic devices and are being aggressively developed for vehicular use. Nevertheless, problems with their safety and reliability must be solved for the large-scale use of lithium batteries in transportation and grid-storage applications. In this study, a unique hybrid solid-state electrolyte composed of an ionic liquid electrolyte (LiTFSI/Pyr₁₄TFSI) and BaTiO₃ nanosize ceramic particles was prepared without a polymer. The electrolyte exhibited high thermal stability, a wide electrochemical window, good ionic conductivity of 1.3 × 10^-3 S·cm^-1 at 30 ℃, and a remarkably high lithium-ion transference number of 0.35. The solid-state LiFePO₄ cell exhibited the best electrochemical properties among the reported solid-state batteries, along with a reasonable rate capability. Li/LiCoO₂ cells prepared using this nanocomposite solid electrolyte exhibited high performance at both room temperature and a high temperature, confirming their potential as lithium batteries with enhanced safety and a wide range of operating temperatures.