Coordination-driven hierarchical assembly of silver nanoparticles on MoS2 nanosheets for improved lithium storage.

We report a novel strategy for the hierarchical assembly of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on MoS2 nanosheets through coordination by using a multifunctional organic ligand. The presence of Ag NPs on the surface of MoS2 nanosheets inhibits their agglomeration, thereby providing increased interlayer spacing for easy Li(+) ion intercalation. Such a unique hybrid architecture also ensures sufficient percolation pathways on the whole surface of the MoS2 nanosheets. Moreover, the high rigidity and low deformability of the Ag NPs effectively preserve the hybrid architecture during the charge-discharge process, which translates into a high cycle stability. A prominent synergistic effect between MoS2 and Ag is witnessed. When the Ag content is only 5 wt %, the Ag-MoS2 hybrid delivers a reversible capacity as high as 920 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1), making the Ag-MoS2 hybrid an attractive candidate for next-generation LIBs.