Design of -Mo₂C with an appropriate intercalation potential as an anode material toward lithium ion batteries

The advancement of innovative Mo2C anode yet faces the challenge of exploring a simple, convenient and controllable synthetic route. beta-Mo2C was prepared by utilizing low-cost hexamethylenetetramine and ammonium molybdate as raw materials and employing simple calcination treatment under N-2 atmosphere. When applied as an anode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), beta-Mo2C delivers a satisfactory rate performance (147.0 and 103.4 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 and 1.0 A g(-1)) and excellent cyclic stability (72.2 mAh g(-1) at 2.0 A g(-1) after 1500 cycles). Meanwhile, a suitable voltage plateau at similar to 1.4 V for beta-Mo2C also avoids the formation of lithium dendrites to improve the safety of LIBs.