Well-distributed 1T/2H MoS₂ nanocrystals in the N-doped nanoporous carbon framework by direct pyrolysis

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has been a promising anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high theoretical capacity and large interlayer spacing. However, its intrinsic poor electrical conductivity and large volume changes during the lithiation/delithiation reactions limit its practical application. An efficient synthesis strategy was developed to prepare the MoS₂ nanocrystals well-anchored into the N-doped nanoporous carbon framework to deal with these challenges by a confined reaction space in an acrylonitrile-based porous polymer during the carbonization process. The prepared hybrid material comprises small 1T/2H-MoS₂ nanoparticles surrounded by a nanoporous carbon matrix. In addition to the highly crystalline nature of the synthesized MoS₂, the low I_D/I_G of the Raman spectrum demonstrated the development of graphitic domains in the carbon support during low-temperature pyrolysis (700 °C). This novel three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical composite shows superior advantages, such as decreased diffusion lengths of lithium ions, preventing the agglomeration of MoS₂ nanocrystals, and maintaining the whole structural stability. The prepared C/MoS₂ hybrid demonstrated fast rate performance and satisfactory cycling stability as an anode material for LIBs.