One-pot Synthesis of Hierarchical Flower-like WS₂ Microspheres as Anode Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries

3D hierarchical flowerlike WS₂ microspheres were synthesized through a facile one-pot hydrothermal route. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by powder X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman. SEM images of the samples reveal that the hierarchical flowerlike WS₂ microspheres with diameters of about 3–5 µm are composed of a number of curled nanosheets. Electrochemical tests such as charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, cycle life and rate performance were carried out on the WS₂ sample. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, hierarchical flowerlike WS₂ microspheres show excellent electrochemical performance. At a current density of 100 mA·g⁻¹, a high specific capacity of 647.8 mA·h·g⁻¹ was achieved after 120 discharge/charge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance of WS₂ as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries can be attributed to its special 3D hierarchical structure.