Chemically anchored two-dimensional-SiOx/zero-dimensional-MoO2 nanocomposites for high-capacity lithium storage materials

Abstract

Silicon oxides are promising alternatives for graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries. SiO_x nanosheets exhibit favorable anodic performances, including outstanding capacity retention and dimensional stability, due to their unique two-dimensional (2D) microstructures, but suffer from low specific capacity and poor initial coulombic efficiency. Here we demonstrate that chemically anchoring of molybdenum dioxide (MoO₂) nanoparticles on the surface of 2D-SiO_x nanosheets via a Mo–O–Si bond boosts both the reversible capacity and initial coloumbic efficiency without sacrificing the useful properties of 2D-SiO_x nanosheets. The enhancements can be attributed to the introduction of a zero-dimensional MoO₂ nano-object, which offers abnormal storage sites for lithium. The proposed nano-architecturing shows how we can maximize the advantages of 2D nanomaterials for energy storage applications.