Preparation of a MoS2/carbon nanotube composite as an electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors

MoS₂ and MoS₂/carbon allotrope (MoS₂/C) composites for use as anodes in supercapacitors were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. In this study, we report the effects of various carbon-based materials (2D graphene nanosheet (GNS), 1D carbon nanotube (CNT), and 0D nano carbon (NC)) on the electrochemical performances. Among all nanocomposites studied, MoS₂/CNT exhibited the best electrochemical performance. Specifically, the MoS₂/CNT composite exhibits remarkable performances with a high specific capacitance of 402 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹ and an outstanding cycling stability with 81.9% capacitance retention after 10 000 continuous charge–discharge cycles at a high current density of 1 A g⁻¹, making it adaptive for high-performance supercapacitors. The superiority of MoS₂/CNT was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which showed that MoS₂ nanosheets were uniformly loaded into the three-dimensional interconnected network of nanotubes, providing an excellent three dimensional charge transfer network and electrolyte diffusion channels while effectively buffering the collapse and aggregation of active materials during charge–discharge processes. Overall, the MoS₂/CNT nanocomposite synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process presents a new and promising candidate for high-performance anodes for supercapacitors.

The effect of carbon supports on the electrochemical performance of MoS₂ nanosheets for supercapacitor applications was investigated.