Dual-Phase Coexistence Design and Advanced Electrochemical Performance of Cu2MoS4 Electrode Materials for Supercapacitor Application

The tetragonal layered transition metal copper-molybdenum sulfide Cu2MoS4 (CMS) possesses a high theoretical electrochemical potential because of its abundant redox properties and large layered surface area, which is favorable for ion adsorption/desorption and transport. Cu2MoS4 contains P and I phases, exhibiting different crystal structures, ion transport characteristics, and electro-chemical properties accordingly. In this work, for the first time, Cu2MoS4 electrode materials with dual-phase compositions are designed and prepared for super-capacitor application, providing a synergistic effect with high electron transport efficiency and structural stability. Upon an in-depth optimization process, the optimal CMS-4 sample having P and I phases coexisting yields the optimal electrochemical behavior. The CMS-4@carbon cloth (CC) electrode provides a specific capacity of 33.9 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1, which is 12.6 and 4.0 times higher than the pure P and I phases, respectively. The assembled MnO2@CC//CMS-4@CC supercapacitor exhibits a high energy density of 16.8 Wh kg-1 at 800 W kg-1 power density. The results demonstrate that two-phase coexistence of Cu2MoS4 significantly enhances the electrochemical activities owing to the synergistic effects of P and I phases and provides a promising material for supercapacitor negative electrodes.