Confining MoS2 nanocrystals in MOF-derived carbon for high performance lithium and potassium storage

Developing an efficient synthesis protocol to simultaneously control 2D nanomaterials' size and dispersion is the pivot to optimize their electrochemical performance. Herein, we report the synthesis of uniform MoS2 nanocrystals well-anchored into the void space of porous carbon (donated as MoS2 subset of C hybrids) by a simple confined reaction in metal-organic framework (MOF) during carbonization process. The strong confinement effect refrain MoS2 growth and aggregation, generating abundant active centers and edges, which contribute fast lithium/potassium reaction kinetics. In addition to the hybridization with the derived carbon, the MoS2C hybrids exhibit rapid Lithorn transfer rate (similar to 10(-9) cm(2) s(-1)) and greatly improved electronic conductivity. Consequently, the MoS2 subset of C hybrids show ultrafast rate performances and satisfactory cycling stabilities as anode materials for both lithium and potassium ion batteries. This work demonstrates a universal tactic to achieve high dispersive 2D nanomaterials with tailorable particle size. (C) 2020, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.

Automated summary

A synthesis method was developed to anchor uniform MoS2 nanocrystals into porous carbon through a confined reaction in metal-organic framework, leading to enhanced lithium/potassium reaction kinetics and improved electronic conductivity for high rate and stable performance as anode materials in batteries.