Highly Reversible Zinc-Ion Intercalation into Chevrel Phase Mo6S8 Nanocubes and Applications for Advanced Zinc-Ion Batteries

This work describes the synthesis of Chevrel phase Mo6S8 nanocubes and its application as the anode material for rechargeable Zn-ion batteries. Mo6S8 can host Zn2+ ions reversibly in both aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes with specific capacities around 90 mAh/g, and exhibited remarkable intercalation kinetics and cyclic stability. In addition, we assembled full cells by integrating Mo6S8 anodes with zinc-polyiodide (I–/I3–)–based catholytes, and demonstrated that such full cells were also able to deliver outstanding rate performance and cyclic stability. This first demonstration of a zinc-intercalating anode could inspire the design of advanced Zn-ion batteries.