Mechanically and Electrically Stable Hybrid Aerogels as Free-Standing Anodes for High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a promising alternative to graphite anodes in battery materials. Therefore, it is critical to scrutinize their structural stability and charge storage capacity during battery operation. Herein, freestanding electrodes consisting of MoS2-incorporated carbon nanotube aerogels are fabricated using a simple yet scalable hydrothermal method, as used in lithium-ion batteries. The outer nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon (NGr) layers support efficient charge transport, even under a substantial compressive environment, and improve the structural integrity, showing significant improvements in battery performance, such as a high rate capacity of 820 mAh g-1 at the current density of 5 A g-1 and 94% capacity retention after 170 cycles (1170 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 170 cycles), even in the absence of polymer binders and conductive additives. The resulting NGr/MoS2/single-walled carbon nanotubes freestanding electrodes have great potential to increase the volumetric and gravimetric energy density of batteries.