Dual-ultrasmall Sb and Sb6O13 nanodots co-anchored MXene with manipulable structural chemistry modulating bidirectional kinetics toward advanced lithium-sulfur batteries

Abstract

Exfoliation and modulation of intercalated layered transition metal carbides and/or nitrides (MAX) into their derivatives (MXenes) featured with manipulable structural chemistry by remain enormous challenges toward practical applications. Herein, an extraordinary low-dimensional MXenes modulated by dual-ultrasmall Sb and Sb6O13 nanodots via in situ structural editing protocol using Lewis-basic fluorides in organic molten salts. Their original internal non-van der Waals bonds and physicochemical natures are simultaneously mediated by manipulating fluorine anions and antimony cations as chemical scissors generating into zero- and one-dimensional MXenes (MFNCTS-Z, MFNCTS-O) encapsulated by hierarchical porous N-doped carbon. Experimental and theoretical results manifest MFNCTSs as alternative dual-functional hosts toward both sulfur (S) cathode and lithium (Li) anode modulating bidirectional kinetics originated from their synergistic effect of physical confinement and chemical anchor effect accelerating polysulfides redox chemistry, and homogeneous lithium deposition. As a result, the assembled lithium-sulfur full batteries offer impressive electrochemical performances. This work paves a new avenue for developing low-dimensional MXenes by controllable structural editing strategy toward practical energy conversion and storage fields.