Design and construction of MoS2@Carbon composite as a potential anode for sodium-ion batteries

Pure MoS2, MoS2/C nanosheets, and MoS2/C nanorods were synthesized through a simple hydrothermal process, with a subsequently annealed at 600 °C in an N2 atmosphere. The work particularly emphasizes the conversion of MoS2/C nanosheets into 1D penta-twinned nanorods after thermal treatment and their potential as anode electrode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The MoS2/C nanorods exhibited improved charge–discharge rate capability, maintaining a specific capacity of 100 mAh g−1 even at an ultrahigh rate of 50 A g−1 and robust cycling stability, retaining specific capacities above 400 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 for 100 cycles. Moreover, the coulombic efficiency (∼100%) indicates highly reversible charge–discharge processes with negligible side reactions. The outstanding electrochemical behavior was attributed to their unique structural characteristics and a conformal carbon coating over MoS2. These features facilitated the formation of a robust solid electrolyte interphase, enhanced sodium-ion transport, and alleviated volume fluctuation during repeated cycling. Collectively, the findings highlight MoS2/C nanorods as promising candidates for next-generation high-efficiency negative electrodes for sodium-ion batteries.