Polymer-derived Ceramic SiCN-MoS$_{2}$ Nanosheet Composite for Lithium Ion Battery Anodes

We demonstrate synthesis of a novel SiCN-MoS$_{2}$ nanosheet composite for use as Li-ion battery anode for high power applications. The nanosheet composite was prepared by thermal decomposition of polysilazane (SiCN precursor) on exfoliated MoS$_{2}$ surfaces. The morphology and chemical structure was studied using a range of spectroscopy techniques that revealed a sidewall functionalization of exfoliated MoS$_{2}$ by the polymeric precursor. The thermodynamic stability of SiCN-MoS$_{2}$ nanosheets was also confirmed by thermo-gravimetric analysis (1000 degree C). Batteries assembled using MoS$_{2}$-SiCN nanosheets as active anode material showed that lithium can be reversibly intercalated in the voltage range of 0-2.5 V with first cycle discharge capacity of 620 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g.