MoS2@Mo2C hybrid nanostructures formation as an efficient anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Highly conductive Mo2C networks were embedded with uniformly stacked MoS2 nanosheets via a hydrothermal reaction. The fabricated interfacial MoS2@Mo2C hybrid nanostructures were systematically ascertained by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM-EDS and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Further, the high-magnification TEM image reveals the fingerprint-structured grains stacked on the MoS2 lattice, while its high-resolution zoom-in image proves the lattice arrangements. The enhanced BET area of 7.21 m2 g−1 is found for the MoS2@Mo2C hybrid compared to the MoS2 (2.04 m2 g−1) and Mo2C (0.83 m2 g−1). The designed MoS2@Mo2C nano-architecture anode provided the rescindable capacity of 210 mAh g−1 at a 50 mA g−1 current density for lithium ion batteries. In addition, MoS2@Mo2C retained a capacity of 150 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 50 mA g−1 with more than 98% of Coulombic efficiency, indicating outstanding cycling stability. The fabricated MoS2@Mo2C hybrid produced improved behavior, compared with that of the bare Mo2C and MoS2 anode. The exceedingly conductive nature of Mo2C and its well interacted relation with the MoS2 nanoparticles which prevented the restacking of MoS2 sheets thereby facilitated fast electron/ion transfer, yielding excellent rate capability. The unique hierarchical structural of MoS2@Mo2C makes it a prospective material for high-performing lithium ion battery anode.