MoS2 nanosheets grown on carbon cloth as a bifunctional cathode for long-life Na–O2 batteries

•Binder-free MoS2/CC cathode is first used in Na–O2 batteries.•MoS2/CC with large electrochemical surface areas provides abundant accessible active sites for rapid interfacial reaction.•MoS2/CC cathode with high catalytic activity reduced the discharge/charge overpotential and improved discharge capacity.•MoS2/CC cathode simultaneously promotes cubic NaO2 and poor crystalline Na2O2 formation.