Superior electrochemical properties of MoS₂ powders with a MoS₂@void@MoS₂ configuration

Yolk-shell MoS₂ powders with a distinct configuration of MoS₂@void@MoS₂ were prepared for the first time by applying spray pyrolysis. The yolk-shell MoO₃ powders prepared by spray pyrolysis were converted into MoS₂ powders by a simple sulfidation process at 400 °C without altering the morphology. Dense structured MoS₂ powders were also prepared by a similar process. The respective initial discharge capacities of the yolk-shell and dense structured MoS₂ powders at a current density of 1000 mA g^-1 were 651 and 490 mA h g^-1, and the corresponding capacity retentions after 100 cycles measured from the second cycle were 100 and 72%.