Flexible amorphous MoS₂ nanoflakes/N-doped carbon microtubes/reduced graphite oxide composite paper as binder free anode for full cell lithium ion batteries

Amorphous MoS₂ Nanoflakes are grown on the outer and inner surfaces of N-doped carbon microtubes prepared by the carbonization of the biomass of willow catkins to fabricate N doped carbon microtubes@amorphous MoS₂ (NCMTs@A-MoS₂) and subsequently the as-prepared NCMTs@A-MoS₂ and 2D reduced graphite oxide cross link to form 3D NCMTs@A-MoS₂/RGO composite paper by a simple vacuum filtration. This novel three dimensional nano/micro hierarchical structure has the superior advantages of nano and micro materials, such as decreasing the diffusion lengths of lithium ions and preventing the agglomeration of amorphous MoS₂ and maintaining the whole structural stability, by building nanosized amorphous MoS₂ coated on carbon microtubes, so as to obtain an anode material with excellent lithium ion battery (LIBs) performances. More importantly, the amorphous MoS₂ provides percolation pathways through the opening of active diffusion channels, expediting the diffusion rate of lithium ions. Furthermore, the composite paper as a whole is favorable for increasing the overall conductivity and energy density of the anode material without binders. As a result, when used as anode materials for half and full cell LIBs, N-doped carbon microtubes@amorphous MoS₂ delivers an ultra-long cycling life, high reversible capacities and superior rate performances.