2D-2D MXene/ReS2 hybrid from Ti3C2Tx MXene conductive layers supporting ultrathin ReS2 nanosheets for superior sodium storage

Rhenium disulfide (ReS2) is a promising 2D-layered anode material for rechargeable batteries. However, this material suffers from severe agglomeration and volume expansion during ions insertion/extraction, leading to inferior battery performance. Building 3D hierarchical structure is an effective strategy to overcome these problems and simultaneously manifest synergistic effects. Herein, a one-pot hydrothermal method is introduced to construct N-doped carbon confined ReS2 ultrathin nanosheets anchored on few-layered Ti3C2Tx MXene substrate (MXene@ReS2@C). The MXene flakes can effectively reduce agglomeration of ReS2 nanosheets during charge/discharge process and generate chemical interaction with ReS2 nanosheets, thereby promoting charge transfer kinetic of hierarchical composite. Carbon incorporation not only stabilizes MXene from successive oxidation during hydrothermal procedure but also alleviates volume expansion of ReS2, ensuring cycling durability of electrode. When used as anode material of SIBs, this hierarchical MXene@ReS2@C hybrid with strong interfacial interactions demonstrates improved electrochemical performances with satisfying rate capability (138 mAh g(-1) at 5.0 A g(-1)) and cycling stability (202 mAh g(-1) at 2.0 A g(-1) after 200 cycles). This work provides a new scope of synthesizing MXene-based transition metal sulfide composite for practical application in sodium ion batteries.