Applications of transition-metal sulfides in the cathodes of lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered as one of the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems with high energy density and reliable performance. However, the commercial applications of lithium-sulfur batteries is hindered by several shortcomings like the poor conductivity of sulfur and its reaction products, and the loss of active materials owing to the diffusion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) into the electrolyte. Hence, the effective restraining of the LiPSs and the promotion of the sluggish conversion are highly demanded to fulfill the potential of lithium-sulfur batteries. Here, we summarize the applications of transition-metal sulfides (TMSs) in the cathodes over recent years and demonstrate the unique advantages they possess to realize reliable long-life lithium-sulfur batteries.

Anchoring stable FeS2 nanoparticles on MXene nanosheets via interface engineering for efficient water splitting

“…16,17 Owing to their abundant reserves and high activity, transition metal sulfides (TMS) have attracted much interest in energy conversion and storage applications in recent years. [18][19][20][21][22][23] As a typical sulfide, cubic pyrite-phase iron pyrites (FeS 2 ) has been widely adopted as an electrode material for the HER owing to its rich active sites and excellent intrinsic activity. 24,25 However, pristine FeS 2 is not intrinsically suitable to act as an OER catalyst since the S atom has electronegativity that blocks the connection between OH and the metal site because of the repulsion of the S and O orbitals.…”

The Synergetic Effect Induced High Electrochemical Performance of CuO/Cu2O/Cu Nanocomposites as Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

“…Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely used in many fields, such as electric vehicles, cameras, and other portable electronic devices, because of their high working potential, lack of memory effect, and high energy density ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Hu et al, 2020 ; Teng et al, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ; Zuo and Gong, 2020 ; Li et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2021d ; Wu et al, 2021 ; Liang et al, 2022 ). However, the traditional graphite anodes cannot meet further demands of high-power hybrid electric vehicles in the future because of the relatively inferior rate performance and the low theoretical capacity (372 mAh/g) ( Shen et al, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2013 ; Zhou et al, 2014 ; Wang et al, 2020 ; Pan et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2021 ).…”

Regulating adsorption ability toward polysulfides in a porous carbon/Cu3P hybrid for an ultrastable high‐temperature lithium–sulfur battery

“…[14][15][16][17] In particular, LSBs are considered as hightemperature rechargeable batteries, but the increase of the operating temperature may markedly affect the solubility of polysulfides, which will have adverse effects on stable batteries. 18,19 In previous studies, the most common and effective way involved the use of conductive carbon as the carrier to load sulfur in LSBs. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] The main reason is that conductive carbon acts as an electronic conductor for the electrochemical reaction of elemental sulfur particles; second, the pore structure of carbon materials inhibits the dissolution of polysulfide ions and thus prevents the shuttle effect.…”