LAUSR

Abstract The redox behavior of VS2 nanosheets in Grignard reagent-based Mg2+ electrolytes was investigated, establishing that VS2 nanosheets functioned as an electrochemical capacitor. Bulk VS2 was synthesized hydrothermally and exfoliated under ultrasonication. Following exfoliation, the specific discharge/charge capacity of the VS2 increased from 42.0/43.2 to 65.7/64.8 mAh g−1 at the 300th cycle measured at 2C in the potential range of 0.5–2.2 V vs. Mg/Mg2+, due to the increase in the specific surface area of the VS2 nanosheets from 2.69 m2 g−1 to 7.45 m2 g−1. Even at a high current density of 5C, the specific capacity of the exfoliated VS2 maintained 59.9 mAh g−1. A method for the enhancement of electrochemical capacitor performance by exfoliation of materials with layered structures is described.