Electron-injection strategy to boost the performance of rich 1T-MoS₂/rGO cathodes for zinc-ion batteries

Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, large interlayer distance, and abundant active sites, 1T-MoS₂ is a promising cathode material for aqueous Zn²⁺ batteries (AZIBs). However, the 1T-MoS₂ is metastable and prone to transition to stable 2H phase, resulting in the confined interlayer distance and the inferior electrical conductivity. In this paper, we are implemented a 3D/2D assembled 1T-MoS₂/rGO composite as a cathode material for AZIBs, in which 1T-MoS₂ is anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) by electron-injection engineering. The hydroxyl group of rGO is embedded in the layer structure of MoS₂, providing in-situ support and widening the layer spacing, and formatting stable enriched 1T-MoS₂. Meanwhile, the rGO flake can effectively alleviate the agglomeration during the growth of MoS₂. The well-designed 3D/2D structure can provide more active sites for electrochemical reactions, shortens diffusion distance of zinc ions, and thus improves ionic/electronic conductivity of the electrode materials. Consequently, the obtained electrode materials reveal excellent rate capacity (304 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹ and 201.1 mA h g⁻¹ at 2 A g⁻¹), as well as long-term cycling stability (with 81 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹). The electrochemical performance of 1T-MoS₂/rGO has been verified through theoretical simulation and other electrochemical measurements. It presents a new approach to developing the application potential of 1T-MoS₂/rGO and designing high-performance cathode materials for AZIBs.