Carbon nanotubes-bridged molybdenum trioxide nanosheets as high performance anode for lithium ion batteries

The search for novel nanomaterials driving the development of high-performance electrodes in lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is at the cutting edge of research in the field of energy storage. Here, we report on the synthesis of single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)-bridged molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanosheets as anode material for LIBs. We exploit liquid phase exfoliation of layered MoO3 crystallites to produce multilayer MoO3 nanosheets dispersed in isopropanol, which are then mixed with solution processed SWNTs in the same solvent. The addition of SWNTs to the MoO3 nanosheets provides the conductive framework for electron transport, as well as a bridge structure, which buffers the volume expansion upon lithiation/de-lithiation. We demonstrate that the hybrid SWNT-bridged MoO3 structure is beneficial for both the mechanical stability and the electrochemical characteristics of the anodes leading to a specific capacity of 865 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, with a columbic efficiency approaching 100% and a capacity fading of 0.02% per cycle. The low-cost, non-toxic, binder-free hybrid MoO3/SWNT here developed represents a step forward for the applicability of exfoliated MoO3 in LIB anodes, delivering high energy and power densities as well as long lifetime.