Acceleration of bidirectional sulfur conversion kinetics and inhibition of lithium dendrites growth via a “ligand-induced” transformation strategy

• Published in: Nano research 2023-07, Vol.16 (7), p.9496-9506
• Main Authors: Zhou, Wei, Chen, Minzhe, Zhao, Dengke, Dan, Jiacheng, Zhu, Chuheng, Lei, Wen, Ma, Li-Jun, Wang, Nan, Liang, Xinghua, Li, Ligui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic/Molecular Structure and Spectra; Bimetals; Biomedicine; Biotechnology; Carbon; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Conversion; Electronic structure; Energy storage; Graphene; Ion flux; Kinetics; Ligands; Lithium; Lithium ions; Lithium sulfur batteries; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Nickel ferrites; Research Article; Specific capacity; Sulfur; Transformations; Trimesic acid
• ISSN: 1998-0124; 1998-0000
• DOI: 10.1007/s12274-023-5720-0

The introduction of materials with dual-functionalities, i.e., the catalytic (adsorption) features to inhibit shuttle effects at the cathode side, and the capability to facilitate homogenous Li-ion fluxes at the anode side, is a promising strategy to realize high performance lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Herein, a facile and rational organic “ligand-induced” (trimesic acid (TMA)) transformation tactic is proposed, which achieves the regulation of electronic performance and d-band center of bimetallic oxides (NiFe 2 O 4 ) to promote bidirectional sulfur conversion kinetics and stabilize the Li plating/striping during the charge/discharge process. The battery assembled with NiFe 2 O 4 -TMA modified separator exhibits a remarkable initial specific capacity of 1476.6 mAh·g −1 at 0.1 C, outstanding rate properties (661.1 mAh·g −1 at 8.0 C), and excellent cycling ability. The “ligand-induced” transformation tactic proposed in this work will open a whole new possibility for tuning the electronic structure and d-band center to enhance the performance of LSBs