Advanced MoS₂ and graphene heterostructures as high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries

Layer-structured MoS₂ is a promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of its high storage capacity, abundance in nature, and cost-effectiveness. However, the use of MoS₂ is limited by its low electronic conductivity, inferior cycling stability, and poor rate capability. To overcome these drawbacks, liquid-phase exfoliated graphene (LEGr) was used as the support, for which MoS₂@LEGr heterostructures with a tunable loading amount of MoS₂ were fabricated by a microwave-assisted solvothermal method. LEGr with its exceptional atomic structure not only serves as a robust structural support of MoS₂ but also provides rapid electrical and ionic transfer pathways of the electrode material. When MoS₂@LEGr heterostructures were applied for SIB anodes, the heterostructures exhibited a considerably enhanced sodium storage performance compared to pure MoS₂, including higher sodium storage capacity as well as superior cycling stability and rate capability.