Bubble template assisted synthesis of hollow fullerene like MoS2 nanocages as a lithium ion battery anode material
Inorganic fullerene (IF) like structured materials have attracted considerable attention for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. In this report, we describe a facile method of synthesizing IF MoS2 hollow structures with a diameter of ~100 nm by a facile solution phase reduction process to obtain a hollow MoSx precursor under ambient pressures before subsequent annealing of the material at high temperatures to form IF MoS2 nanocages. TEM images at different reaction stages reveal the hollow structure spontaneously arising in the novel "close edge" nanocages under the assistance of an ammonia cation bubble template. When evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, ex situ characterization indicates that these IF MoS2 hollow nanocages can provide large expandable spaces for volume changes occurring during the cycles. Such a highly desired structure offers remarkably improved lithium storage performance including high reversible capacity and good cycling behavior and high rate capability.