PEG–PVP-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis and Electrochemical Performance of N-Doped MoS2/C Composites as Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Molybdenum disulfide shows promise as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, its commercial potential has been constrained due to the poor conductivity and significant volume expansion during the charge/discharge cycles. To address these issues, in this study, N-doped MoS2/C composites (NMC) were prepared via an enhanced hydrothermal method, using ammonium molybdate and thiourea as molybdenum and sulfur sources, respectively. Polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were added in the hydrothermal procedure as soft template surfactants and nitrogen/carbon sources. The crystal structure, morphology, elemental composition, and surface valence state of the N-doped MoS2/C composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The results indicate that the NMC prepared by this method are spherical particles with a nanoflower-like structure composed of MoS2 flakes, having an average particle size of about 500 nm. XPS analysis shows the existence of C and N elements in the samples as C–N, C–C, and pyrrolic N. As anodes for LIBs, the NMC without annealing deliver an initial discharge capacity of 548.2 mAh·g–1 at a current density of 500 mA·g–1. However, this capacity decays in the following cycles with a discharge capacity of 66.4 mAh·g–1 and a capacity retention rate of only 12% after 50 cycles. In contrast, the electrochemical properties of the counterparts are enhanced after annealing, which exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 575.9 mAh·g–1 and an ultimate discharge capacity of 669.2 mAh·g–1 after 70 cycles. The capacity retention rate decreases initially but later increases and elevated afterward to reach 116% at the 70th cycle, indicating an improvement in charge–discharge performance. The specimens after annealing have a smaller impedance, which indicates better charge transport and lithium-ion diffusion performance.