MoS₂ nanopowder as anode material for lithium-ion batteries produced by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis

Due to continuous rise of demand for powerful energy sources for portable applications, high energy density and efficiency rechargeable batteries are under constant development. Currently, the most widely used power source for such applications is rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To increase the energy density, rate capability and cyclability of LIBs, alternative anode materials, such as MoS₂, are under intensive investigation. The layered structure of MoS₂ resembles graphite, and its theoretical specific capacity is about twice higher than that of graphite (670 mAh g^-1 against 372 mAh g^-1) due to its higher interlayer spacing (∼0.6 nm) for a Li-ion intercalation. In this work MoS₂ nanopowder (MoS₂-NP), prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), is used as an anode material (MoS₂/C composition) for LIBs, and its electrochemical properties were analyzed. The MoS₂-NP anode exhibited the initial charge capacity of 567 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 50 mAh g^-1. This performance will be improved by introduction of MoS₂-NP into various carbon-containing composites.