Improved Cyclability of Lithium–Oxygen Batteries by Synergistic Catalytic Effects of Two-Dimensional MoS2 Nanosheets Anchored on Hollow Carbon Spheres

The design and development of high-efficient electrocatalysts plays a decisive role in improving the stability of lithium–oxygen (Li–O 2 ) batteries. Here, two-dimensional (2D) MoS 2 nanosheets anchored on hollow carbon spheres (MoS 2 /HCS) composites is designed and reported as promising cathode catalysts for Li–O 2 batteries. The MoS 2 /HCS-based Li–O 2 battery shows superior electrochemical performance, in terms of high capacity (4010 mA h g –1 ) and enhanced cycling performance (104 cycles). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results reveal that the formation of Li 2 CO 3 and other side products can be effectively alleviated when MoS 2 /HCS electrode is used as the cathode. On the basis of experimental studies, it is found that the synergistic effects, which originated from the superior catalytic property of MoS 2 nanosheets and the good electrical conductivity of HCS with high surface area, is the main reason for performance improvement. The synergistic effects induced by the dispersed MoS 2 nanosheets anchored on nanostructured HCS cathodes provide a promising strategy for developing catalysts of O 2 electrode for Li–O 2 batteries with excellent performance.