Preparation of Few-Layered MoS₂ by One-Pot Hydrothermal Method for High Supercapacitor Performance

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), a typical layered material, has important applications in various fields, such as optoelectronics, catalysis, electronic devices, sensors, and supercapacitors. Extensive research has been carried out on few-layered MoS₂ in the field of electrochemistry due to its large specific surface area, abundant active sites and short electron transport path. However, the preparation of few-layered MoS₂ is a significant challenge. This work presents a simple one-pot hydrothermal method for synthesizing few-layered MoS₂. Furthermore, it investigates the exfoliation effect of different amounts of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as a stripping agent on the layer number of MoS₂. Na⁺ ions, as alkali metal ions, can intercalate between layers to achieve the purpose of exfoliating MoS₂. Additionally, NaBH₄ exhibits reducibility, which can effectively promote the formation of the metallic phase of MoS₂. Few-layered MoS₂, as an electrode for supercapacitor, possesses a wide potential window of 0.9 V, and a high specific capacitance of 150 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1. This work provides a facile method to prepare few-layered two-dimensional materials for high electrochemical performance.