Ultrasmall Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle/MoS₂ nanosheet composites with superior performances for lithium ion batteries

A novel composite consisting of graphene-like MoS₂ nanosheets and ultrasmall Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (≈3.5 nm) is synthesized as an anode for lithium ion battery application. In such composite anode, MoS₂ nanosheets provide flexible substrates for the nanoparticle decoration, accommodating the volume changes of Fe₃O₄ during cycling process; while Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles primarily act as spacers to stabilize the composite structure, making the active surfaces of MoS₂ nanosheets accessible for electrolyte penetration during charge/discharge processes. Owing to the high reversible capacity provided by the MoS₂ nanosheets and the superior high rate performance offered by ultrasmall Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, superior cyclic and rate performances are achieved by FeFe₃O₄/MoS₂ anode during the subsequent electrochemical tests, delivering 1033 and 224 mAh g⁻¹ at current densities of 2000 and 10,000 mA g⁻¹, respectively.