Encapsulating Metal-Organic-Framework Derived Nanocages into a Microcapsule for Shuttle Effect-Suppressive Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Long-term stable secondary batteries are highly required. Here, we report a unique microcapsule encapsulated with metal organic frameworks (MOFs)-derived Co3O4 nanocages for a Li-S battery, which displays good lithium-storage properties. ZIF-67 dodecahedra are prepared at room temperature then converted to porous Co3O4 nanocages, which are infilled into microcapsules through a microfluidic technique. After loading sulfur, the Co3O4/S-infilled microcapsules are obtained, which display a specific capacity of 935 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles at 0.5C in Li-S batteries. A Coulombic efficiency of about 100% is achieved. The constructed Li-S battery possesses a high rate-performance during three rounds of cycling. Moreover, stable performance is verified under both high and low temperatures of 50 degrees C and -10 degrees C. Density functional theory calculations show that the Co3O4 dodecahedra display large binding energies with polysulfides, which are able to suppress shuttle effect of polysulfides and enable a stable electrochemical performance.

Automated summary

In this study, a unique microcapsule encapsulated with Co3O4 nanocages derived from metal organic frameworks (MOFs) was reported for a Li-S battery, showing excellent lithium storage performance. The microcapsules, filled with Co3O4/S after loading sulfur, exhibited a specific capacity of 935 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles at 0.5C in Li-S batteries, with a Coulombic efficiency of about 100%. The constructed Li-S battery demonstrated high rate-performance and stable performance under high and low temperatures.