4.7 Article

Catalytic separators with Co-N-C nanoreactors for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Journal

INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
Volume 8, Issue 12, Pages 3066-3076

Publisher

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
DOI: 10.1039/d1qi00205h

Keywords

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Funding

  1. National Natural Science Foundation of China [21771018, 21875004, 21935001]
  2. Natural Science Foundation of Beijing [2192037]
  3. Beijing University of Chemical Technology [buctrc201901]
  4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy [NSFC-MAECI 51861135202]
  5. Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovation Research Team in the University [IRT1205]
  6. Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
  7. Ministry of Finance
  8. Ministry of Education of PRC

Ask authors/readers for more resources

A Co-N-4 structure supported metal catalyst was prepared and introduced to modify Li-S battery separators, effectively improving sulfur utilization and battery performance. This work provides new insight for developing functional separators to accelerate the conversion kinetics of LiPSs in order to achieve high energy density Li-S batteries.
Rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage devices because of their high theoretical energy density. However, the dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in an ether electrolyte and its sluggish reaction kinetics severely limit their practical performances. Herein, an atomically dispersed supported metal catalyst with a Co-N-4 structure on active carbon (Co-N-C/AC) is prepared and introduced to modify the separators of Li-S batteries. The Co-N-C catalyst not only suppresses the shuttle effect of LiPSs through the physical barrier and chemical affinity but also improves the redox kinetics of the sulfur species. The first-principles calculation indicates that LiPSs on Co-N-C possess a high binding energy and low decomposition energy barrier in the electrochemical process, thus effectively accelerating the conversion of LiPSs during the charge/discharge process and improving sulfur utilization in Li-S batteries. Therefore, a Li-S battery based on a Co-N-C/AC modified separator can deliver admirable rate performance and stable cycling life with a reversible discharge capacity of over 865 mA h g(-1) and a decay rate of 0.043% per cycle after 500 cycles at 1.0 C. This work provides new insights for developing a functional separator to accelerate the conversion kinetics of LiPSs for achieving high energy density Li-S batteries.

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