Nanoconfined Construction of MoS ₂ @C/MoS ₂ Core-Sheath Nanowires for Superior Rate and Durable Li-Ion Energy Storage

Achieving fast and stable Li-ion energy storage in two-dimensional MoS ₂ materials has become a formidable challenge due to their sluggish electrochemical reaction kinetics and large structural change. In this study, a rational synthesis approach based on the nanoconfinement effect is reported to construct MoS ₂ @C/MoS ₂ nanowires with a unique core-sheath configuration. The nanocomposite exhibits a great surface area of 170.1 m ² g ^-1 , mesoporous nanotexture, along with expanded MoS ₂ interlayers. The porous core-sheath architecture and the electrically conductive carbon are of great benefit for swift transportation of Li-ions/electrons to enable enhanced reaction kinetics, and supply a great number of electroactive sites for more efficient energy storage. Additionally, the outer carbon nanoshells could maintain the structure integrity of the nanocomposite after a long-term cycle test. As a consequence, the MoS ₂ @C/MoS ₂ nanowire anodes exhibit a high reversible capacity of 443 mA h g ^-1 at 10 A g ^-1 (53.2% retention of the capacity at 0.1 A g ^-1 ), and display superior stability over 500 cycles at both 1 and 5 A g ^-1 . The electrochemical properties bestow the MoS ₂ @C/MoS ₂ core-sheath nanocomposite a potential promise for high-rate and durable anodes of lithium-ion batteries.