Binder-free phosphorus-doped MoS2 flexible anode deposited on carbon cloth for high-capacity Li-ion battery applications.

Molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂), conversion-type transition metal dichalcogenide, despite having the high theoretical capacity and adequate stability, suffers from poor electronic conductivity; large volumetric changes leading to material degradation and agglomeration of nanostructures after long cycling are hindering its practical application. This work presents the tactics used to mitigate the hindrances by doping the MoS₂ matrix with phosphorus (P) and is grown directly on carbon cloth without any binders via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. A mechanism of crystal structure transformation with respect to the doping concentration is proposed based on X-ray diffraction and ultraviolet–visible spectrum results. Raman analysis is carried out to conclude the phase examination of MoS₂. The reduction in agglomeration of MoS₂ nanoparticles due to the P doping is analysed by employing scanning electron microscope. The optimized P-MoS₂ is used directly as an anode in Lithium-ion batteries which exhibits high initial discharge capacity (2032 mAhg⁻¹ at the 40th cycle with a current rate of 100 mAg⁻¹) and reasonably good stability (713 mAhg⁻¹ after 500 cycles at 500 mAg⁻¹). Compared to that of bare MoS₂ electrode, the better performance of P-MoS₂ anode is due to the synergetic effects of optimized P doping and the presence of P–O bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]