Fe single atoms-nitrogen doped carbon modified separator with promoted catalytic conversion for MoS2 electrode in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Due to the conversion reaction mechanism of MoS2 anode in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which inevitably leads to the formation of lithium polysulfide (LiPSs). Consequently, one of the major limitations associated with using MoS2 anode is the dissolution of LiPSs and sluggish conversion kinetics of LiPSs to insoluble Li2S2/Li2S. Inspired by the research on lithium-sulfur batteries, we believe that electrocatalysts can effectively solve the above issues. Herein, we have prepared the iron single atoms-nitrogen doped carbon (Fe SAs-NC) catalyst by the metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived strategy and employed it to modify the commercial polypropylene (PP) separator. In LIB containing MoS2 electrodes, the Fe SAs-NC/PP separator provides enhanced reversibility and stable cycling properties compared to the unmodified PP separator. The visual adsorption experiment and symmetrical battery results confirm that the Fe SAs-NC can adsorb the soluble LiPSs and catalyze the slow conversion reaction.