Efficient Sodium-Ion Storage Using MoS2@rGO Nanocomposite Anode: Exploring Na-Ion Diffusion in Metallic Phase

Abstract

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are gaining attention as a better and more economical option than lithium-ion batteries, owing to the abundance and low cost of sodium in comparison to lithium. The anode component of rechargeable batteries plays a vital role in obtaining superior energy and power density. Consequently, the investigation of novel materials for SIBs with enhanced performance is imperative. Transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs) are found to be promising contenders for this purpose, particularly MoS2 due to their two-dimensional open framework, structural tunability, and high theoretical specific capacity as an anode material in sodium ion storage. In this regard, we conducted a facile strategy to synthesize MoS2 and aluminium-doped MoS2 incorporated into reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using the hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological properties of the samples have been explored through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements which revealed that the addition of aluminium increased the interlayer spacing of the (002) plane of MoS2 nanosheets and stabilized it in metallic 1T phase. The enhanced interlayer distance and improved conductivity of the electrode material displayed a significantly higher initial discharge specific capacity of around 750 mAhg−1 which is stabilized around 380 mAhg−1 at the current rate of 50 mAg−1 after 10 cycles as investigated through galvanostatic charge-discharge measurement. The long cycling test for 200 cycles revealed the capacity retention of ~65% and ~55 % at the current density of 100 and 300 mAg-1, respectively. The kinetic behavior of the Na-ion is studied employing cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the diffusion coefficient of Na-ion in the bulk of the electrode was found to be in the range of 10-10 to 10-12 cm2s-1. Additionally, in-situ EIS analysis demonstrates the electrode's electrochemical kinetics at different charge-discharge states by showing variations in charge transfer resistance. Ex-situ XRD and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrated the coexistence of 1T and 2H phases, and field-emission SEM validated the stable morphology after cycling. Keywords: Sodium-ion batteries, Transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs), Anode material, MoS2