Layer-by-Layer Hybrids of MoS2 and Reduced Graphene Oxide for Lithium Ion Batteries

• Layer-by-layer MoS2/rGO hybrids were prepared by rGO involved lithiation-exfoliation method.
• This hybrid exhibited enhanced electrochemical performances due to the existence of rGO.
• The roles of rGO in different charging/discharging processes were interpreted by computations.

Two-dimensional MoS2 shows great potential for effective Li storage due to its good thermal and chemical stability, high theoretical capacity, and experimental accessibility. However, the poor electrical conductivity and the restacking tendency significantly restrict its applications to lithium ion batteries (LIBs). To overcome these problems, we introduced reduced graphene oxides (rGO) to the intercalation-exfoliation preparation process of few-layered MoS2 and obtained layer-by-layer MoS2/rGO hybrids. With the addition of rGO, the restacking of MoS2 layers was apparently inhibited, and MoS2 with 1 ∼ 3 layers was obtained in the composite. Due to the positive role of rGO, MoS2/rGO hybrids exhibited highly enhanced cyclic stability and high-rate performances as LIB anodes in comparison with bare MoS2 layers or bulk MoS2. Moreover, the experimental results were well interpreted through density functional theory computations.

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