Constructing MoS2-based cathode materials for zinc ion batteries.

• The MoS 2 /V 2 O 5 composite cathode is successfully constructed by one-step ball milling. • The unique in-situ conversion mechanism allows the obtained MoO 3 /V 2 O 5 cathode to achieve superior electrochemical performance. • The potentiality of rapidly constructing composite cathodes by ball milling is confirmed. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have advantages of high safety, friendly environment, low cost, and can be applied to large-scale energy storage. To prepare high-performance cathode materials easily and quickly is still one of the development directions. Based on the principle that two-dimensional layered materials can be thinned layer-by-layer via mechanical force, the molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2)-based cathodes are prepared by one-step ball milling. The shear force and shockwave generated during ball milling effectively promote the preparation of MoS 2 /V 2 O 5 cathode materials. X-ray diffraction, Raman, and infrared tests confirm the presence of both MoS 2 and V 2 O 5 components in the prepared MoS 2 /V 2 O 5. The presence of metallic phase 1T-MoS 2 in the MoS 2 /V 2 O 5 is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Via a charging conversion mechanism, the obtained MoO 3 /V 2 O 5 cathode has a high capacity of 417.4 mAh g −1, good rate performance (83.6 mAh g −1 at 10 A g −1), high energy and power densities (83.6 Wh kg−1 at 10,032 W kg−1). This study provides a new idea for constructing two-dimensional material-based cathodes by ball milling. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]