Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) with the similar energy storage mechanism to lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted increasing attention in light of the natural abundance and the environmental benignity.  

However, the large ionic radius of Na⁺ makes the most common and commercial anode of lithium ion batteries (LIBs)—graphite anode—fail to guarantee well the rapid mass transport and alleviate the large internal strain/stress upon cycling owing to its insufficient interlayer spacing (≈0.34 nm). The main challenge for SIBs is to find appropriate electrode materials with good robustness that can well host large Na⁺ ions.  

In a study published in ACS Nano, a research team led by Prof. ZHANG Jian at Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter(FJIRSM) of Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a hollow microcubic framework(HMF) constructed by Mo-defect-rich ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets (HMF-MoS₂) through a zeolite-like framework engaged strategy, which delivers an impressive specific capacity (384.3 mA h g^-1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g^-1) and cycle stability (267 mA h g^-1 after 125 cycles at 1 A g^-1) for sodium storage.  

Researchers found that the unique structural design and the boosted sodium adsorption by Mo defect are fundamental for achieving enhanced sodium storage of HMF-MoS₂. In particular, the hierarchical hollow architecture with more exposed electrochemical active species endows HMF-MoS₂ high specific capacity and large electrolyte/electrode contact area.  

Moreover, the hollow structure provides sufficient buffer space to accommodate the large volume expansion of MoS₂ upon sodium intake.  

Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the Mo defects can not only accelerate the charge transfer, but also lead to strong binging affinity for sodium.  

Kinetic analysis result reveals that the ultrafast sodium ion storage of HMF-MoS₂ could be associated with the significant contribution of capacitive energy storage. 

This work detailed the molecular level understanding of chemical reaction on MoS₂ surface by defect and morphology engineering, which can be applied to other metal sulfides for energy storage devices.  

The synthesis of HMF-MoS2 and the enhanced sodium storage performance.(Image by Prof. ZHANG’s Group) 

Contact: 

Prof. ZHANG Jian 

Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter 

Chinese Academy of Sciences 

Email: zhj@fjirsm.ac.cn