Toward layered MoS(2) anode for harvesting superior lithium storage

As a typical transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), molybdenum disulphide (MoS(2)) has become one of the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its desirable electrochemical properties. But the development of commercial MoS(2) is limited by the problem of agglomeration. Thus, the production of MoS(2) nanosheets with few (<10) layers is highly desired but remains a great challenge. In this work, a facile and scalable approach is developed to prepare large-flake, few-layer (4–8) MoS(2) nanosheets with the assistance of ultrasonics. Simultaneously, the as-prepared MoS(2) nanosheets and commercial bulk MoS(2) were analysed under multiple spectroscopic techniques and a series of electrochemical tests to understand the dependence of electrochemical performance on structural properties. When used as anode materials for LIBs, the obtained MoS(2) nanosheets provide a reversible capacity of 716 mA h g(−1) at 100 mA g(−1) after 285 cycles, and demonstrated an excellent capacity retention rate of up to 80%. Compared with that of commercial MoS(2) (14.8%), the capacity retention rate of our MoS(2) nanosheets has a significant improvement. This work explored the ability of few-layered MoS(2) nanosheets in the field of LIBs while suggesting the commercialization of the MoS(2) by an ultrasonicated ball milling exfoliation technique.