A Two-in-one host for High-loading cathode and Dendrite-free anode realized by activating metallic nitrides heterostructures toward Li-S full batteries

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with high energy densities have attracted much attention as next-generation energy storage systems. However, the uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth at the anode and severe lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) shuttling at the cathode drastically hinder the commercial viability of Li-S batteries. Herein, the dual-functional nanosheet arrays supported by carbon cloth implanted with Ni3N/FeNi3N nanoparticles that simultaneously boosts the performance of the sulfur cathode and the lithium anode is developed. Computational results indicate that the Ni3N/FeNi3N endowed the cathode host with strong chemical anchoring and exceptional electrocatalytic activity for LiPSs. Through effective adjustment of the iron content, the optimized Ni3N/FeNi3N-0.2 heterostructure interface offers highly efficient bidirectional conversion kinetics of sulfur electrochemistry. Meanwhile, the Ni3N/FeNi3N-0.2 with superior lithiophilic nature guides uniform lithium deposition for inhibiting dendrite growth. Combined with these merits, the full battery (denotes as S@Ni3N/FeNi3N-0.2||Li@Ni3N/FeNi3N-0.2) with a sulfur loading (3.4 mg cm−2) exhibits a high specific capacity of 1270 mAh g−1 after 100cycles, super rate capability up to 5.0C and long cycle life of over 500cycles. This work provides a promising avenue for developing high-energy–density Li-S full batteries toward practical applications.