Firework-shaped TiO2 microspheres embedded with few-layer MoS2 as an anode material for excellent performance lithium-ion batteries

A three-dimensional porous hierarchical architecture of uniform TiO2 microspheres embedded with MoS2 nanosheets was prepared via a facile hydrothermal self-assembly scheme. A possible growth mechanism is presented in detail based on theoretical analysis and experimental facts. Further experiments demonstrate that MoS2 nanosheets are uniformly coated on the surface of TiO2 nanorods. Besides, the obtained F-TiO2@MoS2 possesses a large surface area and stable structure. Moreover, the F-TiO2@MoS2 microspheres were successfully assembled as an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. As expected, the electrochemical measurement demonstrates that the F-TiO2@MoS2 shows excellent electrochemical performance, which exhibits a high reversible capacity of 971 mA h g (1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1), a markedly high rate capability of over 450 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 1000 mA g(-1) and a superior cycling stability of 714 mA h g(-1) after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g(-1), as an anode material for LIBs.