Construction of VS2/VOx Heterostructure via Hydrolysis-Oxidation Coupling Reaction with Superior Sodium Storage Properties

Heterostructure engineering is one of the most promising modification strategies for reinforcing Na⁺ storage of transition metal sulfides. Herein, based on the spontaneous hydrolysis-oxidation coupling reaction of transition metal sulfides in aqueous media, a VO_x layer is induced and formed on the surface of VS₂, realizing tight combination of VS₂ and VO_x at the nanoscale and constructing homologous VS₂/VO_x heterostructure. Benefiting from the built-in electric field at the heterointerfaces, high chemical stability of VO_x, and high electrical conductivity of VS₂, the obtained VS₂/VO_x electrode exhibits superior cycling stability and rate properties. In particular, the VS₂/VO_x anode shows a high capacity of 878.2 mAh g^?1 after 200 cycles at 0.2 A g^?1. It also exhibits long cycling life (721.6 mAh g^?1 capacity retained after 1000 cycles at 2 A g^?1) and ultrahigh rate property (up to 654.8 mAh g^?1 at 10 A g^?1). Density functional theory calculations show that the formation of heterostructures reduces the activation energy for Na⁺ migration and increases the electrical conductivity of the material, which accelerates the ion/electron transfer and improves the reaction kinetics of the VS₂/VO_x electrode.