Engineered nano-architecture for enhanced energy storage capabilities of MoS2/CNT-heterostructures: A potential supercapacitor electrode

Abstract

Hydrothermal synthesis was utilized to achieve the direct growth of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanoflakes on carbon nanotubes (CNT). Through this method, MoS2/CNT heterostructures with engineered microstructure have been obtained by suitably optimizing the synthesis conditions. Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron microscopy have been utilized to characterize the heterostructure. The present study investigated the influence of varying amounts of CNT and MoS2 within the heterostructure on its electrochemical properties. The optimization of the heterostructure morphology has resulted in enhanced electrochemical performance, with a high specific capacitance of ∼436 F/g at 1 A/g, along with good rate capability. The charge storage mechanism was explained by using Dunn's power law. Further, the MoS2/CNT heterostructure was employed to fabricate a solid-state symmetric supercapacitor. The device exhibited a specific capacitance of ∼164 F/g at 1 A/g, along with good cyclic stability, retaining 96 % of its capacitance after 1000 cycles. Additionally, the device demonstrated high energy and power density values of ∼27 Wh/Kg and 603 W/Kg, respectively. The present study indicates that the MoS2/CNT heterostructure holds great promise as an electrode material for high-performance solid-state supercapacitor devices.