Facile Solvothermal Synthesis of Binder Free 1T-VS2/MXene Hybrid Electrode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

The development of high-capacity batteries has become crucial to meet the growing demands for modern electric applications like electric vehicles, smartphones, and various smart wearable devices. However, their widespread adoption of Li-ion batteries is hindered due to the limited capacity, low energy density, poor cycling stability, and high cost of traditional electrode materials. To resolve these challenges continuous design and development of novel electrode materials are required. Due to their unique properties, transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) and MXene hybrid composite materials have emerged as promising electrode materials for high-capacity Li-ion batteries. In this study, we explore the facile solvothermal synthesis of binder-free 1T-VS₂/MXene hybrid electrode materials for high-capacity Li-ion battery applications. The facile solvothermal synthesis offers several advantages, including simplicity, binder-free, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. It involves the simultaneous growth of 1T-VS₂ and MXene nanosheets within a single reaction vessel, resulting in a homogeneous growth of 1T-VS₂ on the MXene sheets. This method eliminates the need for separate synthesis and post-deposition steps, restructuring the fabrication process and improving the efficiency of electrode materials. The 1T-VS₂ decorated MXene serves various roles in the hybrid composite, firstly they act as conductive pathways, facilitating electron transport and reducing internal resistances. This results in enhanced charge/discharge rates and improved power density of the electrode material. Additionally, MXene provides mechanical stability to the fragile VS₂ nanoparticles, preventing agglomeration and ensuring long-term stability. The electrochemical properties of the binder-free 1T-VS₂/MXene hybrid electrode materials were systematically investigated using several techniques such as voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, C-rate, stability, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results demonstrated significant improvements in electrochemical performance compared to pure VS₂ electrodes. The hybrid composite electrodes revealed high capacity, improved rate performance, and excellent cycling stability. The bonder-free 1T-VS2/MXene hybrid electrode materials' enhanced electrochemical performance can justify the VS2 and MXene synergistic effects. The MXene provides high conductivity, efficient ion diffusion, and structural stability, while the VS₂ nanoparticles offer large redox sites and high energy density. The amalgamation of these properties results from a well-balanced electrode material with improved Li-ion battery performance.<br/><b>Keywords:</b> 1T-VS₂/MXene hybrids, facile solvothermal, high-capacity, Li-ion battery<br/><b>Acknowledgments:</b><br/>This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grants (No. 2021M3H4A3A02099204, and 2022M3C1A3081178 (Ministry of Science and ICT) and No. 2022R1I1A2073224 (Ministry of Education)) funded by the Korean Government.