Hierarchical nanotubes assembled from MoS 2 -carbon monolayer sandwiched superstructure nanosheets for high-performance sodium ion batteries

Interface engineering on 2D layered nanomaterials plays pivotal roles in achieving novel properties and superior device performance. In this work, hierarchical nanotubes consisting of 2D monolayer MoS2 and carbon (MoS2:C) interoverlapped superstructure nanosheets have been synthesized, in which the MoS2 and carbon layers are alternately sandwiched. The hierarchical architectures assembled from the MoS2:C superstructures are beneficial for: (i) providing substantially expanded (002) interlayer spacing (0.98 nm) of 2H-MoS2 which facilitates fast Na+ insertion/extraction reaction kinetics, (ii) improving electrical conductivity of MoS2 by carbon monolayer insertion with ideal heterointerface contact, (iii) preventing aggregation of MoS2 nanosheets, and (iv) accommodating volume change upon sodiation/desodiation. The superstructure nanotubes are demonstrated as a robust anode material for sodium storage with superior electrochemical performance. They deliver a high rate-capability and maintain discharge capacities of 295 and 187 mAh g−1 at high current densities of 10.0 and 20.0 A g−1, respectively. Furthermore, they show durable cycling life (capacity retention of 101.3%, 108.2% and 107.8% after 200 cycles at current densities of 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 A g−1, respectively, in comparison to those of the 2nd cycles), and an initial Coulombic efficiency as high as 84%. The MoS2:C superstructure nanotubes perform among the best of current MoS2-based electrode materials.