Hollow I-Cu2MoS4 nanocubes coupled with an ether-based electrolyte for highly reversible lithium storage

Bimetallic hollow I-Cu2MoS4 nanocubes are prepared by the solvothermal method with the Cu2O nanocubes as the sacrificial templates. Compared to the carbonate-based electrolyte, the ether-based electrolyte shows better compatibility with Cu2MoS4 electrode, which shows high reversible capacity, superior rate performance and remarkably improved cycling performance. The ex-situ XRD analysis demonstrates the highly reversible electrochemical reaction in the ether-based electrolyte. [Display omitted] Anode materials based on transition metal sulfides suffer from poor electrochemical reversibility, which limits their cycling stability. Herein, we synthesize hollow I-Cu2MoS4 nanocubes composed of ultrathin nanosheets using a solvothermal method with Cu2O nanocubes as sacrificial templates. The presence of a surfactant is a key factor that prevents the structural collapse of the hollow cubic structure of Cu2MoS4 and the formation of nanoplates. An ether-based electrolyte shows better compatibility with the Cu2MoS4 electrode than a carbonate-based electrolyte, which is reflected in high reversible capacity, superior rate performance, and remarkably improved cycling performance. Ex-situ XRD analysis demonstrates a highly reversible electrochemical reaction in the ether-based electrolyte, which enhances the cycling stability.