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/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites. Ti3C2Tx was rapidly prepared by the fluorine-free molten salt etching method, and then the MoS2/Ti3C2Tx composite was synthesized by the one-pot method. Fluffy and open petal-like interconnect structures were constructed by combining few-layer MoS2 nanosheets with Ti3C2Tx substrate. The introduction of the substrate material (Ti3C2Tx) provides a uniform growth platform for MoS2 nanosheets, and Ti3C2Tx, 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.