ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles decorated MoS2 nanosheets for high-performance supercapacitors

Abstract

This study presents a significant advancement in electrochemical energy storage by designing and synthesizing MoS 2 /ZnFe 2 O 4 Nanocomposites (NCs) with exceptional electrochemical properties. The NCs were synthesized using a hydrothermal process, combining MoS 2 Nanosheets (NS) with ZnFe 2 O 4 Nanoparticles (NPs). This design leverages the synergistic benefits of both materials, resulting in superior capacitive performance compared to previous reports. The optimized 1:1 molar ratio of MoS 2 /ZnFe 2 O 4 NC demonstrated a specific capacitance of 2076.9 F/g at 25 A/g and retained 94.3 % of its capacitance after 2500 cycles. The MoS 2 NS acts as a substrate to prevent ZnFe 2 O 4 NP agglomeration, while the ZnFe 2 O 4 NPs inhibit MoS 2 NS restacking. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the MoS 2 /ZnFe 2 O 4 interface introduces new energy states near the Fermi level, boosting the heterostructure's capacitance. With their enhanced electrochemical performance, these NCs show great potential for diverse advanced energy storage and conversion systems. • MoS 2 -ZnFe 2 O 4 Nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. • The optimized NC achieved 2077 F/g specific capacitance at 25 A/g. • The material retained over 90.8 % of capacitance after 2500 charge-discharge cycles. • Synergy between MoS 2 and ZnFe 2 O 4 improved charge storage and prevented agglomeration. • DFT revealed new energy states near the Fermi level, boosting capacitance performance.