Synthesis of Few-Layer MoS₂ Nanosheets-Wrapped Polyaniline Hierarchical Nanostructures for Enhanced Electrochemical Capacitance Performance

Graphical abstract: The scientific motivation of this work is to synthesize a hierarchical core-sheath PANi@MoS₂ nanostructure as an advanced electrode material for high-performance electrochemical capacitor applications. Hierarchical core-sheath PANi@MoS₂ nanostructure is prepared in a one-pot synthesis via a hydrothermal redox reaction between ammonium tetrathiomolybdate and polyaniline nanofibers. The obtained PANi@MoS₂ electrode displays a good electrochemical capacitance performance with a specific capacity of 450 F g⁻¹ under 0.5 M H₂SO₄. More importantly, the core-sheath structure of PANi@MoS₂ electrode enhances the structural stability during the electrochemical process and thus improves the electrochemical cycling stability of the electrode significantly, which retains 80% in specific capacity after 2000 charge/discharge processes, higher than 47% of that with individual PANi nanofibers electrode. - Abstract: We report a facile strategy to synthesize a hierarchical core-sheath PANi@MoS₂ nanocomposite as an advanced electrode material for high-performance electrochemical capacitor applications. Hierarchical core-sheath PANi@MoS₂ nanostructure is prepared in a one-pot synthesis via a hydrothermal redox reaction between ammonium tetrathiomolybdate and polyaniline nanofibers. Structural and morphological characterizations of the as-prepared PANi@MoS₂ nanocomposite are investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The obtained PANi@MoS₂ electrode displays a good electrochemical capacitance performance with a specific capacitance of 450 F g⁻¹ under 0.5 M H₂SO₄. More importantly, the core-sheath structure of PANi@MoS₂ electrode enhances the structural stability during the electrochemical process and thus improves the electrochemical cycling stability of the electrode significantly, which retains 80% in specific capacitance after 2000 charge/discharge processes