Mo-P bond induced MoS2 fast electron transfer improves the lithium storage performance of MoS2-MoP heterojunction

Abstract

Mo-based hybrids, including molybdenum oxide, molybdenum sulfide, and molybdenum carbide, have been extensively investigated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their high theoretical electrochemical capacities compared to conventional carbon materials. While, molybdenum phosphide, which is great promising anode material for LIBs, has been scarcely investigated up to now. In this paper, two-dimensional (2D) mesoporous ultrasmall MoS2–MoP heterostructured nanosheets/graphene hybrids (meso-MoS2–MoP/G) are synthesized by a “nanocasting” method followed by a phosphidation treatment. The as-prepared 2D meso-MoS2–MoP/G hybrid has unique mesoporous structures with MoS2–MoP heterojunction vertically growing on graphene nanosheet. Benefiting from its advantages of characteristic nanosheet morphology, abundant mesopores, high electrical conductivity, as well as unique MoS2–MoP heterostructure, the 2D meso-MoS2–MoP/G hybrid demonstrates exceptional lithium storage performance as an anode material for LIBs in terms of specific capacity, cycling stability, and long cycle life. The specific capacity of 2D meso-MoS2–MoP/G hybrid could remain over 910.3 mA h g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 after 50 cycles. Even at a high current density of 1 A g-1, this 2D meso-MoS2–MoP/G hybrid still could deliver a remarkable discharge capacity of 863.9 mA h g-1 with good cycling stability. This study provides a convenient way to construct heterostructured nanosheets on 2D materials for high-performance LIBs.