Manipulating Redox Kinetics using p-n Heterojunction Biservice Matrix as both Cathode Sulfur Immobilizer and Anode Lithium Stabilizer for Practical Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

As an attractive high-energy-density technology, the practical application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is severely limited by the notorious dissolution and shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPS), resulting in sluggish reaction kinetics and uncontrollable dendritic Li growth. Herein, a p-n typed heterostructure consisting of n-type MoS2 nanoflowers embedded with p-type NiO nanoparticles is designed on carbon nanofibers (denoted as NiO-MoS2@CNFs) as both cathode sulfur immobilizer and anode Li stabilizer for practical Li-S batteries. Such p-n typed heterostructure is proposed to establish the built-in electric field across the heterointerface for facilitated the positive charge to reach the surface of NiO-MoS2, meanwhile inherits the excellent LiPS adsorption ability of p-type NiO nanoparticles and catalytic ability of n-type MoS2. As the anode matrix, the implementation of NiO-MoS2 heterostructure can prevent the growth of Li dendrites by enhancing the lithiophilicity and reducing local current density. The obtained Li-S full battery exhibits an ultra-high areal capacity over 7.3 mAh cm(-2), far exceeding that of current commercial Li-ion batteries. Meanwhile, a stable cycling performance can be achieved under low electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 5.8 & mu;L mg(-1) and negative/positive capacity ratio of 1. The corresponding pouch cell maintains high energy density of 305 Wh kg(-1) and stable cycling performance under various bending angles.

Automated summary

A p-n typed heterostructure consisting of NiO-MoS2@CNFs was designed as both cathode sulfur immobilizer and anode Li stabilizer for Li-S batteries. The heterostructure established a built-in electric field across the heterointerface to facilitate the positive charge transfer. The obtained Li-S full battery showed high areal capacity and stable cycling performance.