Biowaste-sustained MoSe2 composite as an efficient anode for sodium/potassium storage applications

The biological waste of mangosteen epicarp was recycled to fabricate biomass carbon; then, a biowaste-sustained MoSe2/biowaste carbon/carbon nanotubes composite (MoSe2/BC/CNTs) was constructed via a hydrothermal process. As a high-efficiency anode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium ion batteries (PIBs), the MoSe2/BC/CNTs composite displays persistent sodium/potassium ion storage capabilities of 405.0 mA h g−1 and 415.5 mA h g−1, respectively, after 250 cycles and excellent rate performances of 336.8 mA h g−1 at 5000 mA g−1 and 247.8 mA h g−1 at 2000 mA g−1 in SIBs and PIBs, respectively. Additionally, the MoSe2/BC/CNTs composite has a broad working temperature range from −10 to 60 °C and delivers 230.5–585.9 mA h g−1 in SIBs and 186.7–482.1 mA h g−1 in PIBs. These attractive electrochemical properties mainly originate from the uniform dispersion of MoSe2 particles, tunable pseudocapacitive behavior and enhanced electron conductivity. The strategy applied to biological waste recycling is expected to have broad application prospects that will contribute to avoiding environmental pollution. [Display omitted] •Discarded mangosteen epicarp is recycled to be an eco-friendly biomass carbon.•The biomass carbon as a well substrate promotes the disperse growth of MoSe2.•The CNTs as hinges link up the various components to reinforce the construction.•The composite shows excellent Na+/K+ storage capacities and good rate capabilities.•The composite has a favorable environmental adaptation in the temperature range from −10 to 60 °C.