Toward layered MoS2 anode for harvesting superior lithium storage

Abstract

As a typical transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) has become one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its desirable electrochemical properties. But the development of commercial MoS₂ is limited by the problem of agglomeration. Thus, the production of MoS₂ nanosheets with few (<10) layers is highly desired but remains a great challenge. In this work, a facile and scalable approach is developed to prepare large-flake, few-layer (4–8) MoS₂ nanosheets with the assistance of ultrasonics. Simultaneously, the as-prepared MoS₂ nanosheets and commercial bulk MoS₂ were analysed under multiple spectroscopic techniques and a series of electrochemical tests to understand the dependence of electrochemical performance on structural properties. When used as anode materials for LIBs, the obtained MoS₂ nanosheets provide a reversible capacity of 716 mA h g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 285 cycles, and demonstrated an excellent capacity retention rate of up to 80%. Compared with that of commercial MoS₂ (14.8%), the capacity retention rate of our MoS₂ nanosheets has a significant improvement. This work explored the ability of few-layered MoS₂ nanosheets in the field of LIBs while suggesting the commercialization of the MoS₂ by an ultrasonicated ball milling exfoliation technique.