Novel hollow MoS2@C@Cu2S heterostructures for high zinc storage performance

Abstract

Heterostructured materials have great potential as cathodes for zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) because of their fast Zn²⁺ transport channels. Herein, hollow MoS₂@C@Cu₂S heterostructures are innovatively constructed using a template-engaged method. The carbon layer improves the electrical conductivity, provides a high in situ growth area, and effectively restricts volume expansion during the recycling process. MoS₂ nanosheets are grown on the surfaces of hollow C@Cu₂S nanocubes using the in situ template method, further expanding the specific surface area and exposing more active sites to enhance the electrical conductivity. As expected, an admirable reversible capacity of 197.2 mA h g⁻¹ can be maintained after 1000 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 91.1%. Therefore, we firmly believe that this work points the way forward for high-performance materials design and energy storage systems.