Watermelon Flesh-Like Ni3 S2 @C Composite Separator with Polysulfide Shuttle Inhibition for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Small. 2023 Jul;19(30):e2300687. doi: 10.1002/smll.202300687. Epub 2023 Apr 8.

Abstract

The shuttle effect limits the practical application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with high specific capacity and cheap price. Herein, a three-dimensional carbon substrate containing Ni3 S2 nanoparticles is created to modify the separator. The in situ optical visualization battery proves that the material can realize the rapid conversion of Li2 S6 . Moreover, the impact of lithium-ion diffusion on the reactions in the cell is investigated, and the mechanism of Ni3 S2 @C in the cell is proposed based on the "adsorption-diffusion-conversion" mechanism. The "adsorption-diffusion-conversion" process of polysulfide is carried out on the surface of the composite separator, showing positive effects on the inhibition of polysulfide shuttle and the promotion of conversion. The separator is modified to improve sulfur utilization and reduce dead sulfur accumulation through a strategy of chemical immobilization and physical blocking. This helps to bridge the existing gaps of Li-S batteries.

Keywords: adsorption-diffusion-conversion; in situ optical visualization batteries; lithium-ion diffusion; lithium-sulfur batteries; nanoparticles.