Firework-shaped TiO2 microspheres embedded with few-layer MoS2 as an anode material for excellent performance lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

A three-dimensional porous hierarchical architecture of uniform TiO₂ microspheres embedded with MoS₂ nanosheets was prepared via a facile hydrothermal self-assembly scheme. A possible growth mechanism is presented in detail based on theoretical analysis and experimental facts. Further experiments demonstrate that MoS₂ nanosheets are uniformly coated on the surface of TiO₂ nanorods. Besides, the obtained F-TiO₂@MoS₂ possesses a large surface area and stable structure. Moreover, the F-TiO₂@MoS₂ microspheres were successfully assembled as an electrode material for lithium-ion batteries. As expected, the electrochemical measurement demonstrates that the F-TiO₂@MoS₂ shows excellent electrochemical performance, which exhibits a high reversible capacity of 971 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹, a markedly high rate capability of over 450 mA h g⁻¹ at a current density of 1000 mA g⁻¹ and a superior cycling stability of 714 mA h g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹, as an anode material for LIBs.