MXene and MXene-based materials for lithium-sulfur batteries

• Published in: Progress in natural science 2021-08, Vol.31 (4), p.501-513
• Main Authors: Zhang, Youquan, Ma, Cheng, He, Weitao, Zhang, Chunxiao, Zhou, Liangjun, Wang, Gao, Wei, Weifeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Heterojunction; Interface chemistry; Lithium polysulfides; Lithium-sulfur batteries; MXenes
• ISSN: 1002-0071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnsc.2021.07.003

Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries are regarded as potential alternatives to lithium-ion batteries due to their extremely high theoretical energy density. Nevertheless, Li–S batteries still suffer from low coulombic efficiency, low sulfur utilization, and poor cycling life, which hinder their further applications. To obtain ideal Li–S cells, intensive work has been dedicated to improve the conductivity of the electrode, inhibiting the shuttle of lithium polysulfides, and promoting the redox of sulfur. Two-dimensional transition metal carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides, also known as MXenes, attracting significant research interest in Li–S batteries due to their high conductivity, abundant active sites, layered structure and adjustable surface chemistry. In this review, we summarize the partial etching methods of MXenes with different surface terminations, the role of MXenes in Li–S batteries and MXene-based composites designed for Li–S batteries based on interfacial chemistry and interlayer structure. In the end, we also propose the perspectives of MXenes for Li–S batteries. [Display omitted] •Review the current developments of MXenes in Li–S batteries.•Discuss the role of MXenes in Li–S batteries from DFT and experiments.•Rich surface chemistry of MXenes is beneficial to the construction of ideal MXene-based materials.•The possible development direction of MXenes in Li–S batteries in the future is prospected.