Flexible amorphous MoS2 nanoflakes/N-doped carbon microtubes/reduced graphite oxide composite paper as binder free anode for full cell lithium ion batteries

Abstract

Amorphous MoS2 Nanoflakes are grown on the outer and inner surfaces of N-doped carbon microtubes prepared by the carbonization of the biomass of willow catkins to fabricate N doped carbon microtubes@amorphous MoS2 (NCMTs@A-MoS2) and subsequently the as-prepared NCMTs@A-MoS2 and 2D reduced graphite oxide cross link to form 3D NCMTs@A-MoS2/RGO composite paper by a simple vacuum filtration. This novel three dimensional nano/micro hierarchical structure has the superior advantages of nano and micro materials, such as decreasing the diffusion lengths of lithium ions and preventing the agglomeration of amorphous MoS2 and maintaining the whole structural stability, by building nanosized amorphous MoS2 coated on carbon microtubes, so as to obtain an anode material with excellent lithium ion battery (LIBs) performances. More importantly, the amorphous MoS2 provides percolation pathways through the opening of active diffusion channels, expediting the diffusion rate of lithium ions. Furthermore, the composite paper as a whole is favorable for increasing the overall conductivity and energy density of the anode material without binders. As a result, when used as anode materials for half and full cell LIBs, N-doped carbon microtubes@amorphous MoS2 delivers an ultra-long cycling life, high reversible capacities and superior rate performances.