Chemical vapor deposited MoS2/electrospun carbon nanofiber composite as anode material for high-performance sodium-ion batteries

Abstract

Due to its high theoretical capacity and unique layered structure, MoS2 has attracted attention as a sodium-ion battery anode material. However, the electrochemical performance of MoS2 based anodes is hindered by their low intrinsic conductivity and large volume change during cycling. In this report, nano-sized MoS2 sheets are synthesized using a scalable chemical vapor deposition method on the surface of electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The morphology of the resultant MoS2@CNFs is investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while their electrochemical performance is studied using cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge. The results demonstrate that a strong interconnection between MoS2 nanosheets and CNFs is formed and the conductive network of CNFs is beneficial for the sodium ion kinetics. When investigated as an anode for sodium-ion batteries, a high reversible capacity of 380mAhg−1 is obtained after 50 cycles with good cycling stability. In particular, MoS2@CNFs can deliver a capacity of 198mAhg−1 under a high current density of 1Ag−1 after 500 cycles, indicating their great potential as anode material for long-life sodium-ion batteries.