Use of a diatomite template to prepare a MoS(2)/amorphous carbon composite and exploration of its electrochemical properties as a supercapacitor

A MoS(2)/amorphous carbon composite was prepared using diatomite as a template and ammonium thiomolybdate/sucrose as starting materials. The composite perfectly inherits the template morphology with a porous structure, in which MoS(2) possesses a structure with several layers, and amorphous carbon is partially inserted into the interlayer spaces of the MoS(2), inhibiting the restacking of the MoS(2) nanosheets along the (002) plane. The interlaminar distance of the adjacent MoS(2) nanosheets in the composite is 1.03 nm, which is approximately twice that between adjacent MoS(2) and carbon layers. The supercapacitor utilizing this composite exhibits a high specific capacitance, 167.3 F g(−1) at the current density of 0.5 A g(−1) and high rate capability, 96.4 F g(−1) at 10 A g(−1). Moreover, the capacitance retention is maintained at 93.2% after 1000 cycles, indicating excellent cycling stability. In contrast, the capacities of pure AC and MoS(2) are much lower, and also the cyclability of MoS(2). The overall improvement in electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the unique microstructure and the close combination of MoS(2) and amorphous carbon.