Rational design of MoS2@graphene nanocables: towards high performance electrode materials for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Here, we have successfully developed a novel contact mode between MoS₂ and graphene, where graphene rolls up into a hollow nanotube and thin MoS₂ nanosheets are uniformly standing on the inner surface of graphitic nanotubes, thus forming mechanically robust, free-standing, interwoven MoS₂@graphene nanocable webs (MoS₂@G). Such a hybrid structure can maximize the MoS₂ loading in the electrode in which over 90% of MoS₂ nanosheets with stacked layer number of less than 5 can be installed. Remarkably, when calculated on the basis of the whole electrode, this binder free electrode not only shows high specific capacity (ca. 1150 mA h g⁻¹) and excellent cycling performance (almost 100% capacity retention even after 160 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹) but exhibits a surprisingly high-rate capability of 700 mA h g⁻¹ at the rate of 10 A g⁻¹ despite such a high MoS₂ loading content, which is one of the best results of MoS₂-based electrode materials ever reported thus far.