Growth of ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets with expanded spacing of (002) plane on carbon nanotubes for high-performance sodium-ion battery anodes

A hydrothermal method was developed to grow ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets, with an expanded spacing of the (002) planes, on carbon nanotubes. When used as a sodium-ion battery anode, the composite exhibited a specific capacity of 495.9 mAh g(-1), and 84.8% of the initial capacity was retained after 80 cycles, even at a current density of 200 mA g(-1). X-ray diffraction analyses show that the sodiation/desodiation mechanismis based on a conversion reaction. The high capacity and long-term stability at a high current ate demonstrate that the composite is a very promising candidate for use as an anode material in sodium-ion batteries.