Preparation of hierarchical C@MoS2@C sandwiched hollow spheres for lithium ion batteries

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Zhenyou Li - , Heidelberg University , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Alexander Ottmann - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Ting Zhang - , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Qing Sun - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Hans Peter Meyer - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Yana Vaynzof - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Junhui Xiang - , University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Author)
  • Rüdiger Klingeler - , Heidelberg University  (Author)

Abstract

Hierarchical C@MoS2@C hollow spheres with active MoS2 nanosheets being sandwiched by carbon layers have been produced using a modified template method. The process applies polydopamine (PDA) layers that inhibit morphological changes of the template, enforcing the hollow microsphere structure. In addition, PDA forms complexes with the Mo precursor, leading to the in situ growth of MoS2 on its surface and preventing the nanosheets from agglomeration. It also supplies the carbon that finally sandwiches the 100-150 nm thin MoS2 spheres. The resulting hierarchically structured material provides a stable microstructure, where carbon layers strongly linked to MoS2 offer efficient pathways for electron and ion transfer, and concomitantly buffer the volume changes inevitably appearing during the charge-discharge process. Carbon-sandwiched MoS2-based electrodes exhibit high specific capacity of approximately 900 mA h g-1 after 50 cycles at 0.1C, excellent cycling stability up to 200 cycles, and superior rate performance. The versatile synthesis method reported here offers a general route to design hollow sandwich structures with a variety of different active materials.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3987-3994
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume5
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes