Rational design of MoS2@graphene nanocables: towards high performance electrode materials for Lithium ion batteries

Here, we have successfully developed a novel contact mode between MoS2 and graphene, where graphene rolls up into a hollow nanotube and thin MoS2 nanosheets are uniformly standing on the inner surface of graphitic nanotubes, thus forming mechanically robust, freestanding, interwoven MoS2@graphene nanocable webs (MoS2@G). Such a hybrid structure can maximize the MoS2 loading in the electrode in which over 90% of MoS2 nanosheets with stacked layer number of less than 5 can be installed. Remarkably, when calculated on the basis of the whole electrode, this binder free electrode not only shows high specific capacity (ca. 1150 mA h g(-1)) and excellent cycling performance (almost 100% capacity retention even after 160 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g(-1)) but exhibits a surprisingly high-rate capability of 700 mA h g(-1) at the rate of 10 A g(-1) despite such a high MoS2 loading content, which is one of the best results of MoS2-based electrode materials ever reported thus far.