In situ construction of Fe₂MoC nanostructures on VNbC MXene carbon nanofibers for enhanced lithium-ion battery performance

The performance of lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes is often constrained by limited rate capability and poor cycling stability, primarily due to sluggish ion transport and structural degradation. To overcome these limitations, we engineered uniform Fe₂MoC nanostructures onto VNbC MXene-based hollow multichannel carbon fibers (HMCFs) using a synergistic combination of coaxial electrospinning and hydrothermal synthesis. The interfacial self-assembly process promotes the formation of a stable Fe₂MoC layer, which significantly enhances both electronic and ionic conductivity. Meanwhile, the hollow fiber architecture effectively accommodates volume changes during electrochemical cycling, thereby improving mechanical integrity and stability. In situ XRD analysis was employed to elucidate the lithium storage mechanism of the Fe₂MoC@VNbC/HMCFs composite electrode, confirming its robust structural evolution during charge-discharge cycles. Electrochemical testing revealed an impressive average discharge capacity of 800.8 mAh g⁻¹, representing a 41 % enhancement compared to its VNbC/HMCF counterpart. Moreover, the composite electrode demonstrated excellent rate performance and long-term cycling stability under both symmetric and full-cell configurations. These results highlight the potential of Fe₂MoC@VNbC/HMCFs as a high-performance anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, driven by its optimised one-dimensional nanostructure and dual-metal MXene integration. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd.