A Laser-Induced Mo₂ CT_x MXene Hybrid Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries

MXenes, a fast-growing family of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides/nitrides, are promising for electronics and energy storage applications. Mo₂ CT_x MXene, in particular, has demonstrated a higher capacity than other MXenes as an anode for Li-ion batteries. Yet, such enhanced capacity is accompanied by slow kinetics and poor cycling stability. Herein, it is revealed that the unstable cycling performance of Mo₂ CT_x is attributed to the partial oxidation into MoO_x with structural degradation. A laser-induced Mo₂ CT_x /Mo₂ C (LS-Mo₂ CT_x ) hybrid anode has been developed, of which the Mo₂ C nanodots boost redox kinetics, and the laser-reduced oxygen content prevents the structural degradation caused by oxidation. Meanwhile, the strong connections between the laser-induced Mo₂ C nanodots and Mo₂ CT_x nanosheets enhance conductivity and stabilize the structure during charge-discharge cycling. The as-prepared LS-Mo₂ CT_x anode exhibits an enhanced capacity of 340 mAh g^-1 vs 83 mAh g^-1 (for pristine) and an improved cycling stability (capacity retention of 106.2% vs 80.6% for pristine) over 1000 cycles. The laser-induced synthesis approach underlines the potential of MXene-based hybrid materials for high-performance energy storage applications.