Metallic 1T phase MoS2 nanosheets as supercapacitor electrode materials

Efficient intercalation of ions in layered materials forms the basis of electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries and capacitors(1-6). Recent research has focused on the exfoliation of layered materials and then restacking the two-dimensional exfoliated nanosheets to form electrodes with enhanced electrochemical response(7-11). Here, we show that chemically exfoliated nanosheets of MoS2 containing a high concentration of the metallic 1T phase can electrochemically intercalate ions such as H+, Na+ and K+ with extraordinary efficiency and achieve capacitance values ranging from similar to 400 to similar to 700 F cm(-3) in a variety of aqueous electrolytes. We also demonstrate that this material is suitable for high-voltage (3.5 V) operation in non-aqueous organic electrolytes, showing prime volumetric energy and power density values, coulombic efficiencies in excess of 95%, and stability over 5,000 cycles. As we show by X-ray diffraction analysis, these favourable electrochemical properties of 1T MoS2 layers are mainly a result of their hydrophilicity and high electrical conductivity, as well as the ability of the exfoliated layers to dynamically expand and intercalate the various ions.