Improved Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Storage Properties from Few-Layered WS2 Nanosheets Embedded in a Mesoporous CMK-3 Matrix

An integrated WS2@CMK-3 nanocomposite has been prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method and then used as the anode material for lithium-ion and sodiumion batteries. Ultrathin WS2 nanosheets have been successfully embedded into the ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-3) framework. Owing to the few-layered nanostructure of WS2, as well as the high electronic conductivity and the volume confinement effect of CMK-3, the material shows larger discharge capacity, better rate capability, and improved cycle stability than pristine WS2. When tested in lithium-ion batteries, the material delivers a reversible capacity of 720 mAhg(-1) after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mAg(-1). A large discharge capacity of 307 mAhg(-1) is obtained at a current density of 2 Ag-1. When used in sodiumion batteries, the material exhibits a capacity of 333 mAhg(-1) at 100 mAg(-1) without capacity fading after 70 cycles. A discharge capacity of 230 mAhg(-1) is obtained at 2 Ag-1. This excellent performance demonstrates that the WS2@CMK-3 nanocomposite has great potential as a high-performance anode material for next-generation rechargeable batteries.