Hierarchical Fe₂O₃@MoS₂/C Nanorods as Anode Materials for Sodium Ion Batteries with High Cycle Stability

Abstract

Constructing multicomponent hybrid materials is a common and effective method to achieve high-performance anode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). In this work, hierarchical nanorods composed of ultrathin MoS2/C nanosheets and hollow Fe2O3 nanorods as SIB anode materials are designed and reported. Through a simple and two-step hydrothermal method, ultrathin MoS2/C nanosheets are grown on hollow Fe2O3 nanorods to realize the Fe2O3@MoS2/C configuration. Benefiting from the synergic effects of Fe2O3 nanorods and ultrathin MoS2/C nanosheets, which can shorten the diffusion path of electrons/Na+ ions and enhance the electrical conductivity of the hybrids, the volume change of the electrode is avoided during the sodiation/desodiation process. Furthermore, MoS2/C nanosheets can offer more Na+ storage active sites, which lead to high sodium storage capacity. Accordingly, when the Fe2O3@MoS2/C composite is assessed as an SIB anode material, it delivers an excellent electrochemical performance, including ultrastable cyclability (379.2 mAh g–1 is maintained after 2000 cycles) and excellent rate capability (339.0 mAh g–1 at 5.0 A g–1).