Molybdenum ditelluride as potential negative electrode material for sodium-ion battery

Sodium-ion batteries can facilitate the integration of renewable energy by offering energy storage solutions which are scalable and robust, thereby aiding in the transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. Transition metal di-chalcogenides seem promising as anode materials for Na⁺ ion batteries. Molybdenum ditelluride has high conductivity, high trap density and huge atomic size that can mitigate volume expansion, and may lead to ultra-cycling stability. MoTe₂ is synthesized by hydrothermal (MTH) and electrodeposition (MTE) methods. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy reveals the nano-rods synthesized by hydrothermal and nano-blocks with sharp layered structures fabricated by electrodeposition. Raman spectroscopy and XRD divulge the formation of the 1-T’ phase of MoTe₂. Na-ion half-cell made from these materials shows excellent electrochemical performance. MTH displays 380 mAh g^− 1 capacity; this was stabilized at about 277 mAh g^− 1 after 50 cycles at 0.05 A g^− 1 current rate, displaying 72.8% of capacity retention. MTE electrode having the benefit of uniform layered morphology delivers 425 mAh g^− 1 capacity in the initial cycle, which stabilised around 355 mAh g^− 1 capacity after 50 cycles at 0.05 A g^− 1 current rate, delivering 84.5% capacity retention. The MTE electrode exhibits 78% of I.C.E. Molybdenum ditelluride synthesized from electrodeposition and demonstrates high capacity, ultra cycling stability, good I.C.E., and excellent rate capability.