Amorphous MoSx embedded within edges of modified graphite as fast-charging anode material for rechargeable batteries

Abstract

Anode materials with high Li storage capacity and fast charging/discharging characteristics are necessary to produce high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for future clean electric and hybrid vehicles. Several researchers have suggested that nanomaterials with excellent electrochemical performances have the potential to overcome the limitations of current LIBs. However, owing to their complex synthetic fabrication methods, low tap density, and poor first coulombic efficiency, they are not favorable as commercial anode materials. In this study, we introduce a straightforward strategy to fabricate anode materials based on commercially suitable graphite to satisfy the requirements of future LIBs. Graphite was modified by ball-milling and mild oxidation, which led to an increase in the number of exposed edges and anchoring sites between the graphite and the amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx). MoSx, which is an important component of several high capacity materials, was stable under a high C-rate condition owing to its oxygen functional groups. The MoSx@B-rGtO electrode exhibited excellent specific capacity (1239 and 403 mAh g(-1) current densities of 0.13 and 2.60 A g(-1), respectively) and cycling stability (1016 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles). Therefore, we believe that our graphite-based anode material can be used as a potential LIB electrode for future electric automobiles.