Tungsten disulfide-multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrid anode for lithium-ion battery

The present work is focused on the preparation of tungsten disulfide-multiwalled carbon nanotube (WS2-MWCNT) hybrids by simple dry grinding of WS2 and MWCNT in different proportion by weight (1:3, 1:1, 3:1). The as prepared hybrids have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Raman analyses. XRD results indicated complete exfoliation of MWCNT among WS2 particles in WS2-MWCNT (3:1) and (1:1) hybrids. FESEM images showed the formation of a 3-D network in WS2-MWCNT (1:1) hybrid with uniform dispersion of MWCNT being evident from HRTEM images. Raman analysis also suggested significant interaction between WS2 and MWCNT. WS2-MWCNT (1:1) hybrid, when used as anode material in lithium ion battery, exhibited a high initial charge capacity (483 mA h g(-1)) and an improved cycling stability with over 80% retention of the first cycle capacity after 20 cycles compared to only 40% capacity retention in pristine WS2. Such enhanced electrochemical performance of WS2-MWCNT (1:1) hybrid has been attributed to synergistic effect of WS2 and MWCNT.