Recent advance on Co‐based materials for polysulfide catalysis toward promoted lithium‐sulfur batteries

Abstract

Lithium‐sulfur batteries (Li‐S batteries) have been regarded as one of the most promising technologies to change the status quo of lithium‐ion battery and realize large‐scale energy storage applications. Nevertheless, the process of launching Li‐S batteries from lab to market is seriously hindered by their inherent shortages (for example, shuttled lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and sluggish redox kinetics), which greatly restrict sulfur utilization and the battery cycle life. In this regard, Co‐based materials are effective to suppress the shuttle effect through anchoring soluble LiPSs and enhancing reaction kinetics. It is of great significance for the development of advanced catalytic materials to clarify the research progress of Co‐based materials in design strategy, modification mechanism and electrochemical properties. Considering this, we conduct a comprehensive review of recent progress with Co‐based materials utilized in Li‐S batteries. Specifically, the state‐of‐the‐art principles, challenges, and build strategies of Li‐S batteries are systematically summarized. Meanwhile, the chemical and catalytic interactions between the Co‐based materials and LiPSs, as well as energy storage performance of Co‐based materials are thoroughly discussed. Finally, we prospect the future opportunities and challenges for the practical application for advanced Li‐S batteries.

Bidirectional catalyst design for lithium–sulfur batteries: phase regulation cooperates with N-doping

“…4,5 However, the unique multi-step, multielectron and multi-phase electrochemical behavior of Li-S batteries lead to sluggish reaction kinetics and generate soluble lithium polysuldes (LiPSs) during the conversion process, resulting in the notorious "shuttle effect", rapid capacity degradation and hidden safety hazards, which seriously hinder their commercialization process. 6,7 Moreover, there is still a large gap between the actual discharge specic capacity and the theoretical value (1675 mA h g −1 ) of Li-S batteries, which is due to the insulation properties of S/Li 2 S that hinder the fast exchange of ions and electrons at the interface of the electrode and electrolyte. 8,9 Therefore, it is imperative to improve the active substance utilization rate and cycling stability to promote the practical applications of Li-S batteries.…”

A novel free-standing metal organic frameworks-derived cobalt sulfide polyhedron array for shuttle effect suppressive lithium–sulfur batteries

“…In addition, the common sulfur cathodes still require binders, conductive additives, and metallic current collectors, which reduce the overall energy-density of the batteries. Therefore, the integration of the electrode with high conductivity and free-standing materials such as carbon cloth (CC) and graphene foam [22,23] would be a potential approach for constructing high-performance Li-S batteries.…”