Nanostructured MoO2/graphite oxide (GO) composites are synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analyses show that with the addition of GO and the increase in GO content in the precursor solutions, MoO3 rods change to MoO2 nanorods and then further to MoO2 nanoparticles, and the nanorods or nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the surface of the GO sheets in the composites. The MoO2/GO composite with 10 wt % GO exhibits a reversible capacity of 720 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g and 560 mAh/g at a high current density of 800 mA/g after 30 cycles. The improved reversible capacity, rate capacity, and cycling performance of the composites are attributed to synergistic reaction between MoO2 and GO.
Keywords: MoO2; anode; composite; graphite oxide; lithium-ion battery; solvothermal.