MoS₂/Polythiophene Composite Cathode as a Potential Host for Rechargeable Aluminum Batteries: Deciphering the Impact of Processing on the Performance

Abstract

Recent advances in energy storage technology demand high voltage and high energy density modules at lower cost. Composites of inorganic layered materials with conducting polymers (CPs) are known to exhibit excellent electrical/electrochemical behavior along with good dimensional stability. Herein, we report on the MoS2/polythiophene (PTh) composite as a potential cathode for rechargeable aluminum battery application. Successful composite formation was achieved adopting an in situ chemical oxidative procedure and evaluated employing Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The structural change in the inorganic–organic polymer composite phase and the assessment of the composite displayed a process-dependent exfoliation of the MoS2 nanosheets which were noticeably different for the synthesized samples coded as MoS2/PTh-A and MoS2/PTh-B. Both the composites synthesized demonstrate better electrochemical performance than the pristine MoS2 as the cathode for the aluminum battery, as deciphered through comprehensive cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge studies. A relatively high discharge capacity of ca. 150 mA h g–1 versus Al/Al3+, exhibited for the MoS2/PTh composites over multiple cycles, showcases the prospect of these materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the composite samples before and post-cycling revealed crucial clues on the nature of composites and their charge–discharge behavior. To sum up, the study opens up the immense possibility of synthesizing and exploring orthodox layered inorganic compounds exfoliated with CPs for next-generation rechargeable battery application.

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