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–O2) batteries. Here, two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets anchored on hollow carbon spheres (MoS2/HCS) composites is designed and reported as promising cathode catalysts for Li–O2 batteries. The MoS2/HCS-based Li–O2 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 Li2CO3 and other side products can be effectively alleviated when MoS2/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 MoS2 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 MoS2 nanosheets anchored on nanostructured HCS cathodes provide a promising strategy for developing catalysts of O2 electrode for Li–O2 batteries with excellent performance