NiS/NiCoO Cooperative Interfaces Enable Fast Sulfur Redox Kinetics for Lithium-Sulfur Battery.

Due to their high energy density and cost-effectiveness, lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered highly promising for the next generation of energy storage technologies. However, the soluble lithium-polysulfides (LiPSs) notorious for causing the shuttle effect and the sluggish redox kinetics have hindered their practical commercialization. To tackle these challenges, a heterostructural catalyst featuring NiS-NiCoO interfaces is developed, which serves as an interlayer for LSBs. These interfacial sites leverage the advantages of polar NiCoO and conductive NiS, enabling smooth Li diffusion, rapid electron transport, and effective immobilization of LiPSs. This synergistic approach promotes the conversion of sulfur species, resulting in a high discharge capacity of 526 mAh g at 3 C for cells with the NiS-NiCoO interlayer. Additionally, remarkable cycling stability is achievable with an areal sulfur loading of ≈5.0 mg cm. It is believed that this research paves the way for practical applications of LSBs.