Ultrathin MoS2 Nanosheets as Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries with Superior Performance.

Few-layer MoS₂ nanosheets are successfully synthesized using a simple and scalable ultrasonic exfoliation technique. The thicknesses of the MoS₂ nanosheets ares about 10 nm as measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The unique nanosheet architecture renders the high-rate transportation of sodium ions due to the short diffusion paths provided by ultrathin thickness and the large interlayer space within the MoS₂ crystal structure ( d₍₀₀₂₎ = 6.38 Å). When applied as anode materials in sodium-ion batteries, MoS₂ nanosheets exhibit a high, reversible sodium storage capacity and excellent cyclability. The MoS₂ nanosheets also demonstrate good electrochemical performance at high current densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]