MoS2 nanosheets coupled on Ti3C2Tx prepared by molten salt etching for enhancing lithium storage performance†

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has great potential as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its graphite-like layered structure and high specific capacity (669.0 mA h g⁻¹). However, challenges such as volume expansion during lithium storage have impeded its utilization. The combined alteration of MoS₂ and MXenes has demonstrated its efficacy as a modification technique. In this study, a green and facile phase engineering strategy has been implemented for the synthesis of MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x nanocomposites. Ti₃C₂T_x was rapidly prepared by the fluorine-free molten salt etching method, and then the MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_x composite was synthesized by the one-pot method. Fluffy and open petal-like interconnect structures were constructed by combining few-layer MoS₂ nanosheets with Ti₃C₂T_x substrate. The introduction of the substrate material (Ti₃C₂T_x) provides a uniform growth platform for MoS₂ nanosheets, and Ti₃C₂T_x, acting as the supporting material, imparts enhanced structural stability to the composite. Theoretical calculations indicate that this configuration may result in a reduction of the diffusion energy barrier of Li⁺ from 0.78 eV to 0.19 eV, as well as an enhanced electron transfer. This composite material exhibits enhanced capacity performance, achieving 460.6 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. This approach offers valuable insights into the synthesis of additional high-performance composite materials.