MoS2-Based Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a promising low-cost alternative to lithium-ion systems, leveraging the earth-abundant sodium resource for large-scale energy storage. Among anode candidates, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) stands out for its two-dimensional layered structure, high theoretical specific capacity and tunable interlayer spacing. However, pristine MoS2 suffers from low electronic conductivity, pronounced volume changes upon sodiation and potential loss of active sulphur species during repeated cycling. To address these challenges, contemporary approaches focus on nanoscale architecture engineering, including composites with conductive carbon frameworks, heterostructure interfaces, interlayer expansion and elemental doping. Such strategies seek to stabilise the layered host, accelerate ion and electron transport, and suppress structural degradation. The resulting MoS2-based anodes demonstrate improved reversible capacity, rate performance and long-term cyclability, bringing sodium-ion technology closer to applications in grid storage, portable electronics and electric mobility.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have developed three-dimensional carbon nanofibre interpenetrated graphene frameworks hosting MoS2 nanoflakes, in which vertically aligned nanofibres prevent graphene restacking and accommodate volume expansion. The resulting electrode delivers ultrahigh specific capacities approaching 600 mAh g−1, exceptional rate capability at current densities above 10 A g−1 and stable cycling over 1 000 cycles. In a complementary approach, MoS2 nanosheets tightly integrated with reduced graphene oxide via a one-pot hydrothermal route exhibit expanded interlayer spacing and high MoS2 loading. This architecture achieves reversible capacities above 440 mAh g−1 at moderate rates and retains over 93 % of capacity after 300 cycles, underscoring the critical role of conductive matrix encapsulation and layer engineering in mitigating pulverisation and enhancing kinetics.

MoS2-Based Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in mos2-based anode materials for sodium-ion batteries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Specific capacity: The amount of electric charge stored per unit mass of electrode material, typically expressed in mAh g−1.

Conversion reaction: Electrochemical mechanism in which the host material is converted into new phases upon ion insertion and reconverted upon extraction, often yielding high capacity.

Interlayer expansion: Strategy to increase the distance between adjacent atomic layers in a layered material to facilitate ion diffusion and accommodate volume changes.

Heterostructure: Composite architecture formed by intimate contact of two or more distinct materials at the nanoscale, enabling synergistic electronic and ionic properties.

Pseudocapacitance: Rapid, surface-controlled charge storage mechanism that combines aspects of capacitive adsorption and fast faradaic reactions, contributing to high-rate performance.

Sodiation: The process of inserting sodium ions into an electrode host structure during battery charging.

References

1. Single‐Layered MoS2 Fabricated by Charge‐Driven Interlayer Expansion for Superior Lithium/Sodium/Potassium‐Ion‐Battery Anodes. Advanced Science (2023).
2. Conductive carbon nanofiber interpenetrated graphene architecture for ultra-stable sodium ion battery. Nature Communications (2019).
3. MoS2@rGO Nanoflakes as High Performance Anode Materials in Sodium Ion Batteries. Scientific Reports (2017).
4. Elucidating the Synergic Effect in Nanoscale MoS2/TiO2 Heterointerface for Na‐Ion Storage. Advanced Science (2022).
5. Hollow Carbon and MXene Dual‐Reinforced MoS2 with Enlarged Interlayers for High‐Rate and High‐Capacity Sodium Storage Systems. Advanced Science (2024).