MOF-808-derived Ce-doped ZrOF composite as an efficient polysulfide inhibitor for advanced lithium-sulfur batteries

The notorious polysulfide shuttle and sluggish kinetics seriously challenge the commercialization process of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, even though their addictive theoretical energy density and specific capacity. Herein, a MOF-808-derived Ce-doped ZrOF (Ce-ZrOF) composite is constructed by the impregnation of Zr-based MOF-808 film with Ce salt and carbonization as an efficacious polysulfide inhibitor in Li-S batteries, which is anchored on carbon cloth. With a hierarchical porous structure, sufficient adsorption sites and Ce-doping, the proposed structure is qualified for efficaciously trapping polysulfides through adsorption. Meanwhile, the metal Ce and oxygen vacancies facilitate the catalytic conversion of polysulfides, enabling the accelerated redox kinetics. Based on the above synergistic effect, the developed interlayer delivers a high initial capacity of 1048 mAh g(-1) with a durable cyclability of a limited decay of 0.025% per cycle for 500 cycles under 1 C, a considerable rate performance of 744 mAh g(-1) at 5 C and an outstanding area capacity of 9.6 mAh cm(-2) with the high sulfur loading (10.8 mg cm(-2)). (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a Ce-doped ZrOF composite derived from MOF-808 was constructed and applied as an efficient polysulfide inhibitor in Li-S batteries. The composite demonstrated effective trapping of polysulfides through adsorption, and the presence of metal Ce and oxygen vacancies accelerated the redox kinetics.