Fabrication of MoS2 nanosheet@TiO2 nanotube hybrid nanostructures for lithium storage

Abstract

MoS₂ nanosheet@TiO₂ nanotube hybrid nanostructures were successfully prepared by a facile two-step method: prefabrication of porous TiO₂ nanotubes based on a sol–gel method template against polymeric nanotubes, and then assembly of MoS₂ nanoclusters that consist of ultrathin nanosheets through a solvothermal process. These hybrid nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. When evaluated as an electrode material for lithium ion batteries, the results of the electrochemical test show that the unique MoS₂ nanosheet@TiO₂ nanotube hybrid nanostructures exhibit outstanding lithium storage performances with high specific capacity and excellent rate capability. The smart architecture of the MoS₂ nanosheet@TiO₂ nanotube hybrid nanostructures makes a prominent contribution to the excellent electrochemical performance.