Carbon-encapsulated nanosphere-assembled MoS₂ nanosheets with large interlayer distance for flexible lithium-ion batteries

2D transition metal dichalcogenides such as MoS₂ with the unique layered structure have received great attention in the field of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the low conductivity and poor structural stability adversely affect the rate performance of LIBs. Herein, a flexible and free-standing high-performance lithium-ion battery electrode (MoS₂/C@Ti₃C₂T_x) composed of rice-candy-like MoS₂/C intercalated Ti₃C₂T_x and PVP-derived carbon with a large interlayer distance of MoS₂ is designed and demonstrated. Lithium-ion batteries have attracted great attention due to their high energy density. Consequently, as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, MoS₂/C@Ti₃C₂T_x provides a high discharge capacity of 538.5 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.05 A g⁻¹ and rapid charge/discharge capability of 256.7 mAh g⁻¹ at 2 A g⁻¹, as well as outstanding cycling property (96.7% capacity retention after 150 cycles at 2 A g⁻¹). Density-functional theory (DFT) calculation reveals that the rice-candy-like MoS₂/C structure favors adsorption and diffusion of lithium ions and facilitates the redox reactions. The MoS₂/C@Ti₃C₂T_x structure is expected to boost the development of novel 2D materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.