Coordinated Adsorption and Catalytic Conversion of Polysulfides Enabled by Perovskite Bimetallic Hydroxide Nanocages for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Catalysis is an effective remedy for the fast capacity decay of lithium-sulfur batteries induced by the shuttling of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), but too strong adsorption ability of many catalysts toward LiPSs increases the risk of catalyst passivation and restricts the diffusion of LiPSs for conversion. Herein, perovskite bimetallic hydroxide (CoSn(OH)(6)) nanocages are prepared, which are further wrapped by reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as the catalytic host for sulfur. Because of the coordinated valence state of Co and Sn and the intrinsic defect of the perovskite structure, such bimetallic hydroxide delivers moderate adsorption ability and enhanced catalytic activity toward LiPS conversion. Coupled with the hollow structure and the wrapped rGO as double physical barriers, the redox reaction kinetics, and sulfur utilization are effectively improved with such a host. The assembled battery delivers a good rate performance with a high capacity of 644 mAh g(-1) at 2 C and long stability with a capacity decay of 0.068% per cycle over 600 cycles at 1 C. Even with a higher sulfur loading of 3.2 mg cm(-2) and a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 5 mu L mg(-1), the battery still shows high sulfur utilization and good cycling stability.

Automated summary

The perovskite bimetallic hydroxide nanocages wrapped in reduced graphene oxide have moderate adsorption ability and enhanced catalytic activity for LiPS conversion. The double physical barriers and hollow structure improve redox reaction kinetics and sulfur utilization in lithium-sulfur batteries, leading to high rate performance and long cycling stability.