Microwave synthesized self-standing electrode of MoS2 nanosheets assembled on graphene foam for high-performance Li-Ion and Na-Ion batteries

Three-dimensional (3D) graphene foams (GF) were grown on nickel foam by chemical vapor deposition method, and then flowerlike MoS2 nanosheets assembled on GF were achieved by single mode microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique. The flexible MoS2@GF electrode with high conductive network and interconnected channel shows excellent electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium ion batteries (SIBs). For LIBs, the specific capacity of MoS2@GF can reach up to 1400 mAh g(-1) at a current rate of 100 mA g(-1), moreover, the high specific capacity (1127 mAh g(-1)) can be achieved at a rate of 250 mA g(-1) after 100 cycles. In addition, the obtained specific capacity for SIBs after 50 cycles is 290 mAh g(-1) at a rate of 100 mA g(-1). The excellent performance of the flexible MoS2@GF electrode is attributed to fast electron transport, more efficient penetration of electrolyte and shortened ion diffusion time for high conductive, stable 3D architectures. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.