3D chrysanthemum-like ReS2 microspheres composed of curly few-layered nanosheets with enhanced electrochemical properties for lithium-ion batteries

As a new member of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) family, rhenium disulfide (ReS2) is attracting more and more attention because of its many distinctive characteristics, such as extremely weak interlayer coupling and anisotropic electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. The studies on synthesis method and electrochemical properties of ReS2 are still rare. For the first time, three-dimensional (3D) chrysanthemum-like microspheres composed of curly ReS2 nanosheets have been synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. The high-resolution TEM image indicates that the ReS2 nanosheet is highly crystalline with a thickness of few monolayers. As anode for lithium-ion battery, the as-synthesized 3D chrysanthemum-like ReS2 (C-ReS2) microspheres deliver a large initial discharge capacity of 843.0 mAh g−1 and remain 421.1 mAh g−1 after 30 cycles. These values are much higher than that of commercial ReS2. The significant enhancement in electrochemical performance can be attributed to its porous and chrysanthemum-like microsphere structure constructed by few-layered curly ReS2 nanosheets. This unique architecture can allow for easy electrolyte infiltration, efficient electron transfer, and ionic diffusion. The facile synthesis approach can be extended to synthesize other two-dimensional TMDs semiconductors. The study renders ReS2 a promising future in lithium-ion batteries.