Because of the high theoretical capacity of lithium–sulfur
(Li–S) batteries and the relatively low cost of sulfur, these
batteries have been regarded as one of the most promising types of
energy storage systems. The severe shuttle effect of the polysulfide
deteriorates the cycle stability, and the inferior conductivity of
the sulfur and polysulfide also lead to sluggish electrochemical kinetics.
Herein, we use a facile molten salt method to synthesize the heterostructure
Mo–MoB, which is coated on a commercial PP separator for the
Li–S batteries. Experimental analysis and theoretical calculation
results show that the heterostructure Mo–MoB can serve as a
physical barrier and chemical absorbent to hinder the shuttle effect,
as well as be a bidirectional catalyst to simultaneously accelerate
the conversion of polysulfides into Li2S and decomposition
of Li2S with the synergistically catalytic effect of Mo
and MoB. Consequently, the cell with the heterostructure Mo–MoB-modified
separator demonstrates superior cycle performance (capacity fading
rate of ∼0.07% per cycle during 300 cycles at 0.5 C) as well
as increased rate capability (670 mAh g–1 at 2 C).
This work indicates that heterostructure metal borides could be adsorption-catalysis
material to functionalize the separator, which can be a new strategy
to design the high-performance Li–S batteries.