Non-trivial Contribution of Carbon Hybridization in Carbon-based Substrates to Electrocatalytic Activities in Li-S Batteries

Appling an electrochemical catalyst is an efficient strategy for inhibiting the shuttle effect and enhancing the S utilization of Li-S batteries. Carbon-based materials are the most common conductive agents and catalyst supports used in Li-S batteries, but the correlation between the diversity of hybridizations and sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) catalytic activity remains unclear. Here, by establishing two forms of carbon models, i.e., graphitic carbon (GC) and amorphous carbon (AC), we observe that the nitrogen atom doped in the GC possesses a higher local charge density and a lower Gibbs free energy towards the formation of polysulfides than in the AC. And the GC-based electrode consistently inherits considerably enhanced SRR kinetics and superior cycling stability and rate capability in Li-S batteries. Therefore, the function of carbon in Li-S batteries is not only limited as conductive support but also plays an unignorable contribution to the electrocatalytic activities of SRR.     

Bimetal-organic frameworks derived Co/N-doped carbons for lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have received extensive attention due to their high theoretical specific energy density. However, the utilization of sulfur is seriously reduced by the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides and the low conductivity of sulfur and lithium sulfide (Li₂S). Herein, we introduced bimetal-organic frameworks (Co/Zn-ZIF) derived cobalt and nitrogen-doped carbons (Co/N-C) into Li-S batteries through host design and separator modification. The Co/N-C in Li-S batteries effectively limits the shuttle effect through simultaneously serving as polysulfide traps and chemical catalyst. As a result, the Li-S batteries deliver a high reversible capacity of 1614.5 mAh/g and superior long-term cycling stability with a negligible capacity decay of only 0.04% per cycle after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, they have a high area capacity of 5.5 mAh/cm².     

Enhanced Adsorption of Polysulfides on Carbon Nanotubes/Boron Nitride Fibers for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are one of the most promising high-energy-density storage systems. However, serious capacity attenuation and poor cycling stability induced by the shuttle effect of polysulfide intermediates can impede the practical application of Li-S batteries. Herein we report a novel sulfur cathode by intertwining multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and porous boron nitride fibers (BNFs) for the subsequent loading of sulfur. This structural design enables trapping of active sulfur and serves to localize the soluble polysulfide within the cathode region, leading to low active material loss. Compared with CNTs/S, CNTs/BNFs/S cathodes deliver a high initial capacity of 1222 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C. Upon increasing the current density to 4 C, the cell retained a capacity of 482 mAh g⁻¹ after 500 cycles with a capacity decay of only 0.044 % per cycle. The design of CNTs/BNFs/S gives new insight on how to optimize cathodes for Li-S batteries.     

Few-Layer Boron Nitride with Engineered Nitrogen Vacancies for Promoting Conversion of Polysulfide as a Cathode Matrix for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries have become one of the most promising candidates as next-generation batteries, owing to their high specific capacity, low cost, and environmental benignity. Although many strategies have been proposed to restrain the shuttle of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) through physical trapping and chemical binding, the sluggish kinetics of PS conversion still degrade the capacity, rate, and cycling performance of Li-S batteries. Herein, a novel kind of few-layer BN with engineered nitrogen vacancies (v-BN) has been developed as a cathode matrix for Li-S batteries. The positive vacancies in the BN nanosheets not only promote the immobilization and conversion of LiPSs, but also accelerate the lithium ion diffusion in cathode electrodes. Compared with pristine BN, the v-BN cathodes exhibit higher initial capacities from 775 mA h g⁻¹ to 1262 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and a high average coulombic efficiency of over 98 % during 150 cycles. Upon increasing the current density to 1 C, the cell still preserves a capacity of 406 mA h g⁻¹ after 500 cycles, exhibiting a capacity decay of only 0.084 % per cycle. The new vacancy-engineered material provides a promising method for achieving excellent performance in Li-S batteries.     

Multifunctional Electrocatalytic Cathodes Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is a promising candidate for the next generation of energy storage technology, owing to the high theoretical capacity, high specific energy density, and low cost of electrode materials. The main drawbacks in the development of long-life Li-S batteries are capacity fading and the sluggish kinetics at the cathode caused by the polysulfides shuttle. These limitations are addressed through the design of novel nanocages containing cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanoparticles embedded in highly porous nitrogen-doped carbon (CoP-N-GC) by thermal annealing of ZIF-67 in a reductive atmosphere followed by a phosphidation step using sodium hypophosphite. The CoP nanoparticles, with large surface area and uniform homogeneous distribution within the N-doped nanocage graphitic carbon, act as electrocatalysts to suppress the shuttle of soluble polysulfides through strong chemical interactions and catalyze the sulfur redox. As a result, the S@CoP-N-GC electrode delivers an extremely high specific capacity of 1410 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C (1 C=1675 mA g⁻¹) with an excellent coulombic efficiency of 99.7 %. Moreover, capacity retention from 864 to 678 mA h g⁻¹ is obtained after 460 cycles with a very low decay rate of 0.046 % per cycle at 0.5 C. Therefore, the combination of the CoP catalyst and polar conductive porous carbon effectively stabilizes the sulfur cathode, enhancing the electrochemical performance and stability of the battery.     

Beyond the Polysulfide Shuttle and Lithium Dendrite Formation: Addressing the Sluggish Sulfur Redox Kinetics for Practical High-Energy Li-S Batteries

Electrolyte modulation simultaneously suppresses polysulfide the shuttle effect and lithium dendrite formation of lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries. However, the sluggish S redox kinetics, especially under high S loading and lean electrolyte operation, has been ignored, which dramatically limits the cycle life and energy density of practical Li-S pouch cells. Herein, we demonstrate that a rational combination of selenium doping, core–shell hollow host structure, and fluorinated ether electrolytes enables ultrastable Li stripping/plating and essentially no polysulfide shuttle as well as fast redox kinetics. Thus, high areal capacity (>4 mAh cm⁻²) with excellent cycle stability and Coulombic efficiency were both demonstrated in Li metal anode and thick S cathode (4.5 mg cm⁻²) with a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio (10 μL mg⁻¹). This research further demonstrates a durable Li-Se/S pouch cell with high specific capacity, validating the potential practical applications.     

V2O5空心球作为高效硫载体用于锂硫电池（英文）

以V2O5空心球作为锂硫电池的正极材料,将其用于存储硫和限制多硫化物的穿梭效应。V2O5空心球的平均直径约为500 nm,为存储硫提供了更多空间并适应硫电极的体积变化。同时,V2O5对多硫化物具有很强的化学吸附性,可以有效地限制多硫化物的穿梭效应。由于中空结构增加了硫的存储,并通过化学键牢固地吸附多硫化物,使该锂硫电池同时具有高容量和良好的稳定性。V2O5/S作为正极的锂硫电池在0.1C倍率时显示出1439 mAh·g-1的高可逆容量,并在1C的倍率下循环300次后的容量约为600 mAh·g-1。     

Electrochemical Phase Evolution of Metal-Based Pre-Catalysts for High-Rate Polysulfide Conversion

In situ evolution of electrocatalysts is of paramount importance in defining catalytic reactions. Catalysts for aprotic electrochemistry such as lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries are the cornerstone to enhance intrinsically sluggish reaction kinetics but the true active phases are often controversial. Herein, we reveal the electrochemical phase evolution of metal-based pre-catalysts (Co₄N) in working Li-S batteries that renders highly active electrocatalysts (CoS_x). Electrochemical cycling induces the transformation from single-crystalline Co₄N to polycrystalline CoS_x that are rich in active sites. This transformation propels all-phase polysulfide-involving reactions. Consequently, Co₄N enables stable operation of high-rate (10 C, 16.7 mA cm⁻²) and electrolyte-starved (4.7 μL mg_S⁻¹) Li-S batteries. The general concept of electrochemically induced sulfurization is verified by thermodynamic energetics for most of low-valence metal compounds.     

Accelerated Multi-step Sulfur Redox Reactions in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Enabled by Dual Defects in Metal-Organic Framework-based Catalysts

The sluggish sulfur redox kinetics and shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) are recognized as the main obstacles to the practical applications of the lithium-sulfur (Li−S) batteries. Accelerated conversion by catalysis can mitigate these issues, leading to enhanced Li−S performance. However, a catalyst with single active site cannot simultaneously accelerate multiple LiPSs conversion. Herein, we developed a novel dual-defect (missing linker and missing cluster defects) metal–organic framework (MOF) as a new type of catalyst to achieve synergistic catalysis for the multi-step conversion reaction of LiPSs. Electrochemical tests and first-principle density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that different defects can realize targeted acceleration of stepwise reaction kinetics for LiPSs. Specifically, the missing linker defects can selectively accelerate the conversion of S₈→Li₂S₄, while the missing cluster defects can catalyze the reaction of Li₂S₄→Li₂S, so as to effectively inhibit the shuttle effect. Hence, the Li−S battery with an electrolyte to sulfur (E/S) ratio of 8.9 mL g⁻¹ delivers a capacity of 1087 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 C after 100 cycles. Even at high sulfur loading of 12.9 mg cm⁻² and E/S=3.9 mL g⁻¹, an areal capacity of 10.4 mAh cm⁻² for 45 cycles can still be obtained.     

Trithiocyanuric acid derived g-C_3N_4 for anchoring the polysulfide in Li-S batteries application

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have great potential as an electrochemical energy storage system because of the high theoretical energy density and acceptable cost of financial and environment.However,the shuttle effect leads to severe capacity fading and low coulombic efficiency.Here,graphitic carbon nitride(g-C_3N_4) is designed and prepared via a feasible and simple method from trithiocyanuric acid (TTCA) to anchor the polysulfides and suppress the shuttle effect.The obtained g-C_3N_4 exhibits strong chemical interaction with polysulfides due to its high N-doping of 56.87 at%,which is beneficial to improve the cycling stability of Li-S batteries.Moreover,the novel porous framework and high specific surface area of g-C_3N_4 also provide fast ion transport and broad reaction interface of sulfur cathode,facilitating high capacity output and superior rate performance of Li-S batteries.As a result,Li-S batteries assembled with g-C_3N_4 can achieve high discharge capacity of 1200 mAh/g at 0.2 C and over 800 mAh/g is remained after 100 cycles with a coulombic efficiency more than 99.5%.When the C-rate rises to 5 C,the reversible capacity of Li-S batteries can still maintain at 607mAh/g.     

Tailoring WB morphology enables d-band centers to be highly active for high-performance lithium-sulfur battery

The d-band centers of catalysts have exhibited excellent performance in various reactions. Among them, the enhanced catalytic reaction is considered a crucial way to power dynamics and reduce the “shuttle” effect in polysulfide conversions of lithium-sulfur batteries. Here, we report two-dimensional-shaped tungsten borides (WB) nanosheets with d-band centers, where the d orbits of W atoms on the (001) facets show greatly promoting the electrocatalytic sulfur reduction reaction. As-prepared WB-based Li-S cells exhibit excellent electrochemical performance for Li-ion storage. Especially, it delivers superior capacities of 7.7 mAh/cm² under the 8.0 mg/cm² sulfur loading, which is far superior to most other electrode catalysts. This study provides insights into the d-band centers as a promising catalyst of two-dimensional boride materials     

Dual Dopamine Derived Polydopamine Coated N-Doped Porous Carbon Spheres as a Sulfur Host for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are considered to be one of the most promising energy storage systems owing to their high energy density and low cost. However, their wide application is still limited by the rapid capacity fading. Herein, polydopamine (PDA)-coated N-doped hierarchical porous carbon spheres (NPC@PDA) are reported as sulfur hosts for high-performance Li-S batteries. The NPC core with abundant and interconnected pores provides fast electron/ion transport pathways and strong trapping ability towards lithium polysulfide intermediates. The PDA shell could further suppress the loss of lithium polysulfide intermediates through polar–polar interactions. Benefiting from the dual function design, the NPC/S@PDA composite cathode exhibits an initial capacity of 1331 mAh g⁻¹ and remains at 720 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.5 C. At the pouch cell level with a high sulfur mass loading, the NPC/S@PDA composite cathode still exhibits a high capacity of 1062 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.4 mA cm⁻².     

硫/水热碳球复合材料的制备及对锂硫电池倍率性能的影响(英文)

在锂硫电池正极材料的研究中,碳材料可以有效改善电池倍率及循环性能。为了提高锂硫电池的高倍率放电性能,通过水热合成的方法,制备了由非均匀粒径碳球组成的碳材料。与硫热合成后,硫均匀分布在碳材料表面及周围,复合材料含硫量为52wt%。0.2C放电电流下,首次放电比容量为1 174 m Ah·g-1,100次循环后放电比容量为788 m Ah·g-1。在4C的放电电流下,放电比容量稳定维持在600 m Ah·g-1,循环过程中,库伦效率高于90%。该碳材料有良好的导电网络,且制备方便,成本低廉,对于穿梭效应和放电过程中的膨胀效应有一定的抑制作用,是一种优秀的正极材料。     

硫/水热碳球复合材料的制备及对锂硫电池倍率性能的影响

在锂硫电池正极材料的研究中,碳材料可以有效改善电池倍率及循环性能.为了提高锂硫电池的高倍率放电性能,通过水热合成的方法,制备了由非均匀粒径碳球组成的碳材料.与硫热合成后,硫均匀分布在碳材料表面及周围,复合材料含硫量为52wt%.0.2C放电电流下,首次放电比容量为1174mAh·g^-1,100次循环后放电比容量为788mAh·g^-1.在4C的放电电流下,放电比容量稳定维持在600mAh·g^-1,循环过程中,库伦效率高于90%.该碳材料有良好的导电网络,且制备方便,成本低廉,对于穿梭效应和放电过程中的膨胀效应有一定的抑制作用,是一种优秀的正极材料.     

锂-硫二次电池界面反应的特殊性与对策分析

锂-硫电池是在现有锂离子电池基础上最可能实现储能密度大幅提升的实用二次电池体系. 然而,这一电池体系的电化学利用率与循环稳定性仍然难以满足应用要求. 造成锂-硫电池性能不稳定的原因在于硫正极和锂负极的材料结构和反应环境始终处于变化之中,如在充放电过程中,硫-碳反应界面的电化学阻塞、中间产物的溶解流失、正负极之间的穿梭效应等副反应导致正极与负极均难形成稳定的电化学反应界面。针对这些特殊问题,本文简要分析了影响能量利用率和循环稳定性的化学与电化学机制,并提出了构建稳定锂负极与高效硫正极的若干可行性技术.     

Boosting the “Solid–Liquid–Solid” Conversion Reaction via Bifunctional Carbonate-Based Electrolyte for Ultra-long-life Potassium–Sulfur Batteries

Potassium–sulfur (K−S) batteries have attracted wide attention owing to their high theoretical energy density and low cost. However, the intractable shuttle effect of K polysulfides results in poor cyclability of K−S batteries, which severely limits their practical application. Herein, a bifunctional concentrated electrolyte (3 mol L⁻¹ potassium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in ethylene carbonate (EC)) with high ionic conductivity and low viscosity is developed to regulate the dissolution behavior of polysulfides and induce uniform K deposition. The organic groups in the cathode electrolyte interphase layer derived from EC can effectively block the polysulfide shuttle and realize a “solid–liquid–solid” reaction mechanism. The KF-riched solid-electrolyte interphase inhibits K dendrite growth during cycling. As a result, the achieved K−S batteries display a high reversible capacity of 654 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ after 800 cycles and a long lifespan over 2000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹.     

Atomic-Scale Dispersed Fe-Based Catalysts Confined on Nitrogen-Doped Graphene for Li-S Batteries: Polysulfides with Enhanced Conversion Efficiency

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been considered as potential electrochemical energy-storage devices owing to their satisfactory theoretical energy density. Nonetheless, the inferior conversion efficiency of polysulfides in essence leads to fast capacity decay during the discharge/charge cycle. In this work, it is successfully demonstrated that the conversion efficiency of lithium polysulfides is remarkably enhanced by employing a well-distributed atomic-scale Fe-based catalyst immobilized on nitrogen-doped graphene (Fe@NG) as a coating of separator in lithium-sulfur batteries. The quantitative electrocatalytic efficiency of the conversion of lithium polysulfides is determined through cyclic voltammetry. It is also proven that the Fe-N_X configuration with highly catalytic activity is quite beneficial for the conversion of lithium polysulfides. In addition, the adsorption and permeation experiments distinctly indicate that the strong anchoring effect, originated from the charge redistribution of N doping into the graphene matrix, inhibits the movement of lithium polysulfides. Thanks to these advantages, if the as-prepared Fe@NG catalyst is combined with polypropylene and applied as a separator (Fe@NG/PP) in Li-S batteries, a high initial capacity (1616 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C), excellent capacity retention (93 % at 0.2 C, 70 % at 2 C), and superb rate performance (820 mA h g⁻¹ at 2 C) are achieved.     

Synthesis and application of single-atom catalysts in sulfur cathode for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries

Lithium–sulfur(Li-S) batteries are regarded as one of the most promising energy storage devices because of their low cost, high energy density, and environmental friendliness. However, Li-S batteries suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics and serious “shuttle effect” of lithium polysulfides(LiPSs), which causes rapid decay of battery capacity and prevent their practical application. To address these problems, introducing single-atom catalysts(SACs) is an effective method to improve the electroch...     

中空碳双面修饰的隔膜在高性能锂硫电池中的应用

为减少多硫化锂(LIPs) “穿梭效应” 及锂枝晶对锂硫电池的影响,采用刮涂法制备中空碳材料修饰隔膜。接触角测试表明修饰隔膜对 LIPs具有更强的吸引力, 其对 LIPs “穿梭” 的有效抑制也可以通过渗透性实验进一步得到印证。在隔膜的正极对称电池测试中, 电流响应显示中空碳材料的催化使 LIPs快速转化为Li₂S。通过隔膜的负极对称电池测试发现修饰隔膜呈现出更稳定的电压-时间曲线。为证明隔膜修饰对锂硫电池性能改进的效果, 分别采用聚丙烯(PP)隔膜、单面改性和双面改性的 PP隔膜组装成纽扣电池并进行电化学测试, 其中电极材料的硫负载量为 1.8~2.0 mg·cm^-2。GITT(恒电流间歇滴定法)测试和锂离子扩散系数计算表明, 改性隔膜的离子传输更快且阻抗较小。通过分析第 1、5、10、50及 100次的充放电循环阻抗谱图发现, 中空碳材料的多通道能够为锂离子的传输提供更多的通道, 因此能够使锂离子具有更加稳定的扩散行为。在电流密度为 0.2 C时, 由双面改性隔膜组装的锂硫电池在首次充放电时有 1 035 mAh·g^-1的可逆比容量, 700圈后仍有 500 mAh·g^-1的高比容量,并在高硫负载时表现出 500 mAh·g^-1的可逆比容量。双面修饰隔膜赋予了锂硫电池优异的电化学性能, 这是由于中空碳材料的修饰加速了 LIPs的转化和吸附, 有效缓解了 LIPs的穿梭效应, 且对锂枝晶有很好的抑制作用, 提高了锂硫电池的安全性。     

Self-crystallized Interlayer Integrating Polysulfide-adsorbed TiO2/TiO and Highly-electron-conductive TiO for High-stability Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Low-cost lithium sulfur(Li-S)batteries afford preeminent prospect as a next-generation high-energy storage device by virtue of great theoretical capacity.Nevertheless,their applications are restricted by some challenging technical barriers,such as weak cycling stability and low poor-conductivity sulfur loading originated in notorious shuttling effect of polysulfide intermediates.Herein,free of any complicated compositing process,we design an interlayer of carbon fiber paper supported TiO2/TiO to impede the shuttle effect and enhance the electrical conductivity via physical isolation and chemical adsorption.Such a self-crystallized homogeneous interlayer,where TiO2/TiO enables absorbing lithium polysulfides(LiPSs)and TiO plays a key role of high-electron-conductivity exhibited ultrahigh capacities(1000 mA·h/g at 0.5 C and 900 mA·h/g at 1 C)and outstanding capacity retention rate(97%)after 100 cycles.Thus,our design provides a simple route to suppress the shuttle effect via self-derived evolution Li-S batteries.