Epitaxial electrodeposition of single crystal MoTe₂ nanorods and Li⁺ storage feasibility

This work presents an epitaxial deposition of a thin film of single crystal MoTe₂ nanorods via electrodeposition at room temperature from aqueous based electrolyte purged with argon. The method allows control over film morphology through deposition potential. In a typical deposition performed at −0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl for 10 min, film comprised of 1D MoTe₂ nanorods is obtained, while the deposition at −0.9 V vs Ag/AgCl renders nanoplate like structure. When characterized with FE-SEM, XRD, TEM, SAED and Raman spectroscopy, the film shows uniform deposition of single crystal MoTe₂ nanorods particularly with metallic 1 T’ phase. In a preliminary test on feasibility of the nanorod film as anode material for Li-ion storage, a promising result is perceived showing discharge capacity of about 770 mAhg⁻¹ with good electrochemical reversibility.