In situ X-ray diffraction characterization of NbS2 nanosheets as the anode material for sodium ion batteries

Low cost sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted considerable attentions for large scale electric energy storage (EES), owing to the nature abundance of sodium sources in the earth crust. Searching for appropriate anode materials is a hot topic and vital for developing high performance SIBs. Recently, transition metal dichalcogenides have attracted many interests, as their sandwiched framework stacked up together by van der Waals force can facilitate the electrons transportation and reversible Na+ ions intercalation. Here, NbS2 nanosheets with two-dimensional (2D) layered structure have been fabricated by a facile chemical exfoliation method and been utilized as the anode material for SIBs. The chemically exfoliated NbS2 (ce-NbS2) nanosheets deliver a high reversible specific capacity of 205 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1), exhibit high rate performance and excellent cycling stability. In situ X-ray diffraction test demonstrates that ce-NbS2 nanosheets will not suffer any unwanted phase transformation upon soidation/desodiation, which make them promising to construct high capacity and long cycle life anode materials for SIBs. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.