l-Ascorbic Acid-Assistant Synthesis of Molybdenum Disulfide with Varied Morphologies for Accelerating Electrochemical Kinetics in Zinc-Ion Batteries

The two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with a layered structure is a prevalent material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. However, the intercalation of zinc ions can be hindered by high energy barriers, resulting in sluggish electrochemical kinetics and reduced capacity. In this study, MoS2 with varied morphologies are synthesized utilizing l-ascorbic acid, which significantly influences the formation of MoS2, yielding smaller nanoflowers with increased surface area and sulfur vacancies. Consequently, a MoS2 electrode with a surface area of 82.7 m2 g–1 demonstrates enhanced rate capability and a higher specific capacity of 184.9 mA h g–1 at 0.1 A g–1. At a current density of 5 A g–1, it maintains a capacity of 111.7 mA h g–1. Furthermore, after 100 cycles at 5 A g–1, the capacity sustains at 91.4 mA h g–1, approximately three times that of the pristine MoS2 electrode. Improved hydrophilicity, an enhanced Zn2+ diffusion coefficient, and decreased internal resistance are likely to facilitate zinc-ion diffusion, thereby improving the electrochemical performance.