Ultrafast microwave synthesis of MoSSe@ graphene composites via dual anion design for long-cyclable Li-S batteries

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been increasingly recognized as a promising candidate for the next-generation energy-storage systems. This is primarily because LSBs demonstrate an unparalleled theoretical capacity and energy density far exceeding conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, the sluggish redox kinetics and formidable dissolution of polysulfides lead to poor sulfur utilization, serious polarization issues, and cyclic instability. Herein, sulfiphilic few-layer MoSSe nanoflake decorated on graphene (MoSSe@graphene), a two-dimensional and catalytically active hetero-structure composite, was prepared through a facile microwave method, which was used as a conceptually new sulfur host and served as an interfacial kinetic accelerator for LSBs. Specifically, this sulfiphilic MoSSe nanoflake not only strongly interacts with soluble polysulfides but also dynamically promotes polysulfide redox reactions. In addition, the 2D graphene nanosheets can provide an extra physical barrier to mitigate the diffusion of lithium polysulfides and enable much more uniform sulfur distribution, thus dramatically inhibiting polysulfides shuttling meanwhile accelerating sulfur conversion reactions. As a result, the cells with MoSSe@graphene nanohybrid achieved a superior rate performance (1091 mAh/g at 1C) and an ultralow decaying rate of 0.040 % per cycle after 1000 cycles at 1C.