Constructing 2D heterostructure materials by stacking different 2D materials can combine the merits of the individual building blocks while eliminating their shortcomings. Dichalcogenides are attractive anodes for potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) due to their high theoretical capacity. However, the practical application of dichalcogenide is greatly hampered by the poor electrochemical performance due to sluggish kinetics of K+ insertion and the electrode structure collapse resulting from the large K+ insertion. Herein, heterostructures of 2D molybdenum dichalcogenide on 2D nitrogen-doped carbon (MoS2 , MoSe2 -on-NC) are prepared to boost their potassium storage performance. The unique 2D heterostructures possess built-in heterointerfaces, facilitating K+ diffusion. The robust chemical bonds (CS, CSe, CMo bonds) enhance the mechanical strength of electrodes, thus suppressing the volume expansion. The 2D N-doped carbon nanosheets interconnected as a 3D structure offer a fast diffusion path for electrons. Benefitting from these merits, both the MoS2 -on-NC and the MoSe2 -on-NC exhibit unprecedented cycle life. Moreover, the electrochemical reaction mechanism of MoSe2 is revealed during the process of potassiation and depotassiation.
Keywords: MoS 2; MoSe 2; chemical bonding; heterostructures; potassium-ion batteries.
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