Graphene-Coated 1D MoTe_2 Nanorods as Anode for Enhancing Lithium-Ion Battery Performance

One-dimensional nanostructures(1D)with short ion diffusion distance and fast ion transport path are excellent for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs). However, the nature of layered transition metal dichalcogenides makes it difficult to form 1D nanohybrids. Here, the MoTe_(2) nanorods with an average diameter of 100-200 nm and length of 1-3 μm encapsulated by reduced graphene oxide(MoTe_(2)/rGO) have been fabricated via in-situ reaction of GO coated Mo_3O_(10)(C_(2)H_(10)N_(2)) nanowires with Te under Ar/H_(2) atmosphere. When applied as anode of LIBs, the Mo Te_(2)/r GO delivers a high reversible capacity(637 m A h g^(-1) after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g^(-1)), good rate capability(374 m A h g^(-1) at 2 A g^(-1)) and excellent stability(360 m A h g^(-1) after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g^(-1)), which surpasses bare Mo Te2 nanorods and bulk Mo Te2 crystallite. Furthermore, a lithium-ion full cell constructed by coupling Mo Te2/r GO anode and LiCoO_(2) cathode shows a capacity of 105 m A h g^(-1) at 0.1 C. The enhanced performance mainly benefits from the advantages of 1D nanostructure, and meanwhile the r GO thin layers are able to improve the conductivity and maintain the structural stability. This work provides a simple pathway for the synthesis of 1D TMDs nanostructures for energy storage and conversion.