Stoichiometric dependent MoS2 with tuned edge sulfur as excellent anode material for Li-ion batteries

• Engineering the phase of the material by adjusting the stoichiometric/non-stoichiometric precursor ratio. • The sample A1 displayed high initial discharge and charge capacities of 2185 and 1928 mAhg −1 at 0.1 C, respectively, which is three times higher than the theoretical capacity of bulk MoS 2 and better stability than A2 and A3 samples. • The order of negative surface charge and hence the attraction capacity (diffusion) of positive (Li + ) ions is found in the order A1 > A3 > A2. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) has emerged as a promising negative electrode due to its excellent capacity in Li-ion- battery applications. The optoelectronic and electrochemical properties of hydrothermally grown MoS 2 micro-flower (flakes) have been intensively investigated. Still, the influence of stoichiometric ratio on the electrochemical and optical properties has been largely ignored, especially in Li-ion battery applications. Here, in this context, we systematically vary the stoichiometric ratio of sulfur precursor (Thiourea) in three distinct synthesized MoS 2 samples, A1, A2, and A3, via controlled hydrothermal reaction and investigate the associated changes in the electrochemical properties of synthesized MoS 2 . X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to measure relative variations in stoichiometry and the existence of MoS 2 species. Sample A1 possesses the lowest sulfur content, and it shows a higher specific capacity (2185 mAhg −1 ) and coulombic efficiency (88.11 %) as an anode material in Li-ion battery application.