Interlayer engineering to construct MoS2 nanoflowers with large interlayer spacing for high-performance capacitive deionization

The   low energy consumption, easy operation, and cost-effectiveness of capacitive deionization technology (CDI) make it exhibit significant potential for advancement in seawater desalination. To improve CDI performance, new electrode materials must be developed. Here, molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) nanoflowers with large layer spacing are prepared by interlayer engineering utilizing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the   intercalating agent (MoS 2 -CTAB). The enlarged layer spacing enables the MoS 2 -CTAB nanoflowers to have a larger specific surface area, thus exposing more storage sites. Meanwhile, the CTAB intercalation leads to a significant increase in the electrical conductivity of MoS 2 . The above advantages favor rapid ion insertion/extraction, which is helpful in improving CDI performance. Consequently, the MoS 2 -CTAB nanoflowers exhibits excellent desalination capacity (25.5 mg g −1 at 1.2 V) and fast desalination rate (5.1 mg g −1 min −1 ) compared with the original MoS 2 . Additionally, the storage mechanism of Na + reversible insertion and extraction in MoS 2 -CTAB nanoflowers is investigated by applying various characterizations. The design of MoS 2 -based CDI electrode materials with superior performance is made possible by this work.