Novel bayberry-like functional separator coating as a physicochemical polysulfide barrier for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

Curtailment of the polysulfide shuttle effect to ensure superior electrochemical output is crucial for improving the performance of Li–S batteries. Employing functional separator coatings using diverse nanophase materials as a barrier to the movement of polysulfide anions has been manifested as an efficacious strategy to address the issue. Herein, a novel bayberry-like zinc sulfide–carbon nanotube composite is harnessed as a polysulfide barrier in lithium–sulfur batteries for the first time. The material demonstrates effectual polysulfide entrapment properties and catalyzes the sulfur reduction kinetics. Furthermore, the carbon nanotubes impart admirable electronic conductivity and enhance the physical polysulfide confinement. The better structural and functional features of the composite impart the system with a discharge capacity of 1105 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.5 C with superior cyclability for 500 cycles. A constant open circuit voltage is maintained for 100 hours, establishing minimal self-discharge behavior of the system. We envision that this facile strategy could provide an effective platform for the emergence of high-performance Li–S batteries.