Facile Nanostructured Composite Synthesis of Selenium and Molybdenum Chalcogenides/Carbon Nanotubes for Li-Ion Batteries

For lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), MoS₂, which has conversion reaction pathways that can accommodate lithium ions during charge, is a very special inorganic material that has a two-dimensional planar structure similar to graphite. For reliable performance of high-energy LIBs, Se–molybdenum chalcogenides with sulfide and selenide (Se–MC) were prepared via the incorporation of a carbon nanotube (CNT) conducting matrix to solve the crucial limitations of MoS₂, which include poor electronic conductivity and severe volume changes during cycling. For the preparation of Se–MC/CNT, a facile, one-pot synthetic method using molybdic acid, selenium dioxide, and thioacetamide, which are the precursors for molybdenum, selenide, and sulfide, respectively, and CNT was developed. A detailed investigation of the surfaces and crystal structures of the prepared samples was conducted using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. Furthermore, LIBs containing the Se–MC/CNT exhibited a significantly extended cycle life and an improved rate capability that revealed the synergetic effect of the CNTs and selenide for controlling the morphology.