Hydrothermal Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of MoS2/C Nanocomposite

A molybdenum disulfide/carbon (MoS2/C) nanocomposite was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method using glucose as a carbon source followed by carbonization. The sample was systematically investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Electrochemical performances were evaluated in two-electrode cells versus metallic sodium. The synthesized MoS2/C composite exhibits an initial capacity of 475.1 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1), and a capacity retention of 71% is obtained after 100 cycles at a current density of 250 mA g(-1). The material shows enhanced electrochemical performances compared with pristine MoS2 due to incorporation of the conductive carbon, which suppressed significant volumetric change in MoS2 during the charge/discharge process and increased the electrical conductivity of MoS2.