Seed-induced strategy for the construction of nitrogen-doped carbon coated MoSe2/ZnSe-NC nanotubes with enriched phase boundaries toward boosting Na/K-ion storage

It is a challenge to construct suitable hosts for the large-sized Na+/K+ to overcome the hampered reaction kinetics for the energy storage. Component regulation and ingenious structure design are significant for achieving high electrochemical performance in Na+/K+ ions batteries (SIBs/PIBs). Herein, though a seed-induced assembly and subsequent high-temperature selenization process, MoSe2/ZnSe nanotubes encapsulated in N-doped carbon (NC) framework (MoSe2/ZnSe-NC@NC) are rationally synthesized. In this MoSe2/ZnSe-NC@NC structure, there are abundant heterointerfaces, which can induce to form self-built electric field and increase the interfacial Na+/K+ storage, promoting charge transfer and accelerating reaction kinetics. This leads to enhance Na+/K+ storage performance in terms of high reversible capacity, superior rate performance and long term cycling stability. Simultaneously, MoSe2/ZnSe-NC@NC exhibits impressive electrochemical properties, including of high rate capability of 236.3 mAh/g at high current denisity of 5.0 A/g for SIBs and stable capacity of 162.4 mAh/g at 0.2 A/g after 500 cycles for PIBs. Moreover, high energy density of 121.2 Wh kg−1 at power densities of 11486.3 W kg−1 can be also obtained in MoSe2/ZnSe-NC@NC//Na3V2(PO4)3/C full cell, demonstrating a promising anode candidate for large-sized Na+/K+ storage.