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Using transition metal compounds as sulfur hosts is regarded as a promising approach to suppress the polysulfide shuttle and accelerate redox kinetics for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, we report that a new kind of compound, electrides (exotic ionic crystalline materials in which electrons serve as anions), is efficient sulfur hosts for Li-S batteries for the first time. Based on the first-principles calculations, we found that two-dimensional (2D) electrides MC (M = Sc, Y) exhibit unprecedentedly strong binding strength toward sulfur species and surface functionalization is necessary to passivate their activity. The 2D electrides modified with the F-functional group exhibit the best performance in terms of the adsorption energy and sulfur reduction process. A comparative study with a nonelectride reveals that the anionic electrons (AEs) of electrides aid in anchoring the soluble polysulfides. These results open an avenue for the application of electrides in Li-S batteries.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01975 | DOI Listing |
Adv Sci (Weinh)
September 2025
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China.
Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) hold great potential as next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density and relatively low cost. However, their practical application is hindered by issues such as the shuttle phenomenon caused by soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), slow redox reaction rates, and unsatisfactory cycling stability. In this study, novel conjugated metal-organic frameworks, MM″(HHTP) (M, M″ = Ni, Co, Cu) is reported, as a functional coating on polypropylene (PP) separators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNano Lett
September 2025
Center for 2D Quantum Heterostructures, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
Ultrathin amorphous materials are promising counterparts to 2D crystalline materials, yet their properties and functionalities remain poorly understood. Amorphous boron nitride (aBN) has attracted attention for its ultralow dielectric constant and superior manufacturability compared with hexagonal boron nitride. Here, we demonstrate wafer-scale growth of ultrathin aBN films with exceptional thickness and composition uniformity using capacitively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (CCP-CVD) at 400 °C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are being extensively researched as replacements for liquid electrolytes in future batteries. Despite significant advancements, there are still challenges in using SSEs, particularly in extreme conditions. This study presents a hydrated metal-organic ionic cocrystal (HMIC) solid-state ion conductor with a solvent-assisted ion transport mechanism suitable for extreme operating conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLangmuir
September 2025
Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Chemical Measurement, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
The sluggish kinetics and diffusion of lithium polysulfide (LiPS) intermediates lead to the decline in the capacity and rate of high-energy lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Integrating adsorbents and electrocatalysts into the Li-S system is an effective strategy for suppressing the polysulfide shuttle and enhancing the redox kinetics of sulfur species. The disordered structure of the electrocatalysts exhibits significantly enhanced catalytic activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Mater
September 2025
School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin, 150080, China.
The polysulfide shuttling and sluggish sulfur redox kinetics hinder the commercialization of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, the fabrication of phosphorus (P)-doped iron telluride (FeTe) nanoparticles with engineered Te vacancies anchored on nitrogen (N)-doped carbon (C) (P-FeTe@NC) is presented as a multifunctional sulfur host. Theoretical and experimental analyses show that Te vacancies create electron-deficient Fe sites, which chemically anchor polysulfides through enhanced Fe─S covalent interactions.
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