Flexible Free-Standing MoS₂/Carbon Nanofibers Composite Cathode for Rechargeable Aluminum-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries are considered promising candidates for the new generation of energy storage systems because of their high capacity, low cost, and high security. The most urgent challenge to be addressed for the practical application of aluminum-ion batteries is exploring cathode materials with simple fabrication processes and preeminent electrochemical performance. Herein, a flexible free-standing MoS2/carbon nanofibers composite has been successfully synthesized by electrospinning and annealing treatment and investigated as a cathode material for rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries, delivering an initial discharge capacity of 293.2 mA h g–1 at a current density of 100 mA g–1 and maintaining 126.6 mA h g–1 after 200 cycles. The novel free-standing MoS2/carbon nanofibers composite can provide new ideas for the use of transition-metal sulfides as cathode materials for aluminum storage and facilitate the commercial adoption of aluminum-ion batteries.