A self-etched template method to prepare CHS@MoS2 hollow microspheres for lithium-ion storage

A self-etched template method was developed to prepare CHS@MoS2 hollow microspheres. They are composed of thin-layered MoS2 nanosheets radially growing on the surfaces of carbon hollow spheres. The electrical conductivity of the composite can be obviously impoved, which is favorable for electron transport in the electrochemical reaction process. The hollow and thin-layered nanostructures can enhance the ion diffusion in them and alleviate volume effect during the discharge-charge process. In addition, because SiO2 spherical templates are etched in the hydrothermal reaction, no extra template-removed treatment is required. As a result, the CHS@MoS2 hollow microspheres, prepared under the optimized condition, display the highest reversible discharge capacity of 924 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 100 cycles. In addition, the composites exhibit outstanding cycling stability of 576 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at a current density of 1A g−1. These performance indicates that the CHS@MoS2 hollow microspheres show great potential as anode material for energy storage.