Platinum Electrocatalyst Promoting Redox Kinetics of Li2S and Regulating Li2S Nucleation for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The development of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) is impeded by the shuttle effect of polysulfides (LiPSs) and the sluggish nucleation of Li-2 S. To address these challenges, incorporating electrocatalysts into sulfur host materials represents an effective strategy for promoting polysulfide conversion, in tandem with the rational design of multifunctional sulfur host materials. In this study, Pt nanoparticles are integrated into biomass-derived carbon materials by solution deposition method. Pt, as an electrocatalyst, not only enhances the electrical conductivity of sulfur cathodes and effectively immobilizes LiPSs but also catalyzes the redox reactions of sulfur species bidirectionally. Additionally, Pt helps regulate the 3D deposition and growth of Li-2 S while reducing the reaction energy barrier. Consequently, this accelerates the conversion of LiPSs in LSBs. Furthermore, the catalytic ability of Pt for the redox reactions of sulfur species, along with its influence on the 3D deposition and growth of Li-2 S, is elucidated using electrochemical kinetic analyses and classical models of electrochemical deposition. The cathodes exhibit a high initial specific capacity of 1019.1 mAh g(-1) at 1 C and a low decay rate of 0.045% over 1500 cycles. This study presents an effective strategy to regulate Li-2 S nucleation and enhance the kinetics of polysulfide conversion in LSBs.

Automated summary

In this study, Pt nanoparticles were incorporated into biomass-derived carbon materials to address the challenges of polysulfide shuttle effect and sluggish nucleation of Li-2 S in lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). The Pt nanoparticles not only enhanced the electrical conductivity of the sulfur cathodes and immobilized LiPSs, but also catalyzed the redox reactions of sulfur species bidirectionally and regulated the 3D deposition and growth of Li-2 S, resulting in accelerated conversion of LiPSs in LSBs.