Layer-Spacing-Enlarged MoS₂ Superstructural Nanotubes with Further Enhanced Catalysis and Immobilization for Li–S Batteries

A layer-spacing-enlarged MoS 2 nanotube (LE-MoS 2 ) consisting of hierarchical superstructural nanosheets (−MoS 2 –carbon layer–MoS 2 −) was fabricated and served as the sulfur host. The (002) lattice plane of LE-MoS 2 is greatly expanded to 1.04 nm and 67.7% higher than that of the conventional 2H-MoS 2 . Benefitting from the layer-spacing-enlarged hierarchical superstructure of LE-MoS 2, the catalytic effect on the S (s) –Li 2 S x (soluble, x > 6)–Li 2 S y (soluble, y > 2)–Li 2 S (s) phase transformation kinetics and immobilizing effect on the soluble Li 2 S y in Li–S batteries are both further enhanced and demonstrated by in situ X-ray adsorption near-edge structure spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. The formation of hierarchical superstructural nanosheets was carefully investigated by customized synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry.