Mesoporous MoSe2/C composite as anode material for sodium/lithium ion batteries

A mesoporous MoSe 2 /C composite is synthesized through a nano-casting technique along with heat treatment. Nano-silica particles are used as templates to create mesopores . Homogeneously dispersed Molybdenum and selenium particles in the starch substrate are reacted with each other to formed MoSe 2 nanosheets when subjected to heat-treatment. Meanwhile, the starch is carbonized into carbon. The mesoporous MoSe 2 /C composite is investigated as an anode material for both lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). It presents good storage capacity for both lithium ions and sodium ions . Under the current density of 200 mA g −1 , the mesoporous MoSe 2 /C composite exhibits reversible capacity of 618 mA h g −1 for LIBs and 360 mA h g −1 for SIBs after 300 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the mesoporous structure of MoSe 2 /C composite which provides sufficient space for accommodating huge volumetric expansion and the charge product, selenium.