Sequential growth of hierarchical N-doped carbon-MoS2 nanocomposites with variable nanostructures

Abstract

To develop high performance nanocomposites with potential commercialization value, general synthesis strategies that could provide nanocomposites with finely tunable nanostructures and physicochemical properties are desirable. In this work, a universal approach was developed that fulfilled these requirements for the sequential growth of nitrogen-doped carbon-molybdenum disulfide (denoted as NC-MoS₂) nanocomposites with versatile nanostructures, namely, dual–shell, yolk–shell, core–shell, hollow spheres and nanorods. The formation mechanism of the different nanostructures is proposed to arise from the synergistic effect of dual surfactants, the complexing effect between amine groups and Mo species, hydrogen bonding interactions among aminophenol resols, cysteine and sodium molybdate dihydrate (Na₂MoO₄·2H₂O), and the sequential formation of Mo-resol clusters. The NC-MoS₂ hollow spheres displayed higher lithium-ion storage capacity than the N-free hollow sample, NC-MoS₂ dual–shell and yolk–shell spheres, and may benefit from the strengthened charge transfer rate originating from the N-doping, higher N-content and hollow nanostructures.