Carbon-Free, High-Capacity and Long Cycle Life 1D-2D NiMoO4 Nanowires/Metallic 1T MoS2 Composite Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

Both metallic 1T MoS2 and conductive molybdate compounds exhibit interesting electrochemical properties, however, the properties of composite electrodes based on these materials have not been investigated. Here, 1T MoS2 single crystal nanosheets and NiMoO4 single crystal nanowires are synthesized and formed into a carbon-free composite lithium-ion anode using blade- and spray-coating. The composite anodes deliver charge mass specific capacity of 940.1 mAh g-1, while the discharge mass specific capacity is up to 941.6 mAh g-1, with a capacity retention ratio of 84.2% after 750 cycles. The charge and discharge volumetric capacity (porosity of 15.6%, full electrode basis, excluding the current collector) are 1238.7 mAh cm-3 and 1240 mAh cm-3, respectively, and the active materials volume fraction is 82.5%. These capacities significantly exceed that of single 1T MoS2 or single NiMoO4 anodes we reported. We calculate if matched vs a cathode with an average discharge voltage of 4.0 V the gravimetric energy density of the composite electrodes would be 3389.8 Wh kg-1. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the composite electrode has excellent electrochemical reversibility, suggesting that the structure has played a crucial role in the cycling process.