Fabrication of dual-phase MoO3-MoO2@N-doped carbon nanopetal spheres to achieve quick ion transport for Li/Na storage

The development of cost-effective anode materials with high capacity and long-term stability is crucial for advancing lithium-ion (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this work, we introduce a dual-phase molybdenum trioxide–molybdenum dioxide nitrogen-doped carbon (MoO₃-MoO₂@NC) nanopetal composite, synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal process and calcination at 400 °C. This heterostructure combines the high theoretical capacity of MoO₃ with the superior conductivity and structural durability of MoO₂, while NC enhances electron transport and mechanical stability. The MoO₃-MoO₂ interface promotes fast redox kinetics and ion diffusion, leading to exceptional electrochemical performance. The composite achieves 1652.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 500 mA g⁻¹ after 700 cycles in LIBs and retains 737.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 1000 mA g⁻¹ over 2000 cycles, surpassing conventional Mo-based anodes. In SIBs, it maintains 313 mAh g⁻¹ after 900 cycles at 500 mA g⁻¹, demonstrating excellent stability. In full-cell (LIBs/SIBs) configurations, it delivers good stability, proving its real-world applicability. The integration of dual-phase engineering, pseudocapacitive charge storage, and tailored nanostructure establishes MoO₃-MoO₂@NC as a promising anode for next-generation energy storage systems.