context: For further confirmation of the above electrochemical reaction mechanism, the HRTEM images of the discharged/charged electrodes were recorded. The ex situ images (ESI Fig. S8†) clearly showed the presence of the lattice fringes related to the β-MnS phase, thereby confirming the mechanism proposed in the present study. From these results, it is evident that such reaction mechanisms demonstrate electrochemical stability for prolonged cycling of the proposed composite electrode. The early variation in the specific capacity of the present electrode during cycling (Fig. 4c) is mostly related to the gradual activation of nanostructured electrodes. However, it remains essential to identify the individual contribution of the two reactions (intercalation and conversion) in the present electrochemical regulation to explain the variation in the long-term cycling curve (Fig. 4c) of the present α-MnS@NS-C electrode. To achieve this, further studies mostly related to in situ characterizations including the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (PEIS) combined with separate examinations of the voltage profiles over regular cycling spans are required. However, the high reversibility of the present intercalation-cum-conversion reaction mechanism is actively supported by the conductive carbon network formed from the co-doping of the N and S in graphitic carbon. The unique electrode morphology and carbon matrix can improve electrical connectivity. Moreover, they impart structural stability by accommodating the volume changes caused by structural transitions and prevent polysulfide dissolution into the electrolyte during consecutive lithiation/delithiation processes. This, in turn, can enhance the electrochemical performance and cyclability of the proposed composite electrode.