Freestanding ReS₂/Graphene Heterostructures as Binder-Free Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

It is still challenging to develop anode materials with high capacity and long cycling stability for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To address such issues, herein, for the first time, we present a three-dimensional and freestanding ReS₂/graphene heterostructure (3DRG) as an anode synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method. The hybrid shows a hierarchically sandwich-like, nanoporous, and conductive three-dimensional (3D) network constructed by two-dimensional (2D) ReS₂/graphene heterostructural nanosheets, which can be directly utilized as a freestanding and binder-free anode for LIBs. When the current density is 100 mA g^-1, the 3DRG anode delivers a high reversible specific capacity of 653 mAh g^-1. The 3DRG anode also delivers higher rate capability and cycling stability than the bare ReS₂ anode. The markedly boosted electrochemical properties derive from the unique nanoarchitecture, which guarantees massive electrochemical active sites, short channels of lithium-ion diffusion, fast electron/ion transportation, and inhibition of the volume change of ReS₂ for LIBs.