Issue 37, 2024

Oxygen vacancy enhanced catalytic oxidation of H2S based on ZnO-incorporated N-doped hollow carbon nanofibers for cathode construction for high-performance Li–S batteries

Abstract

As one of the most toxic pollutants, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is hazardous to human health and the environment. Selective oxidation of H2S to elemental sulfur (S) over carbon-based catalysts has emerged as an interesting solution owing to the advantages of low reaction temperature (20–30 °C), high desulfurization efficiency and accuracy. Interestingly, the produced carbon–sulfur composites could be directly used as cathodes for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). Herein, a carbon-based catalyst consisting of nitrogen-doped hollow carbon nanofiber (NHCF) loading oxygen-deficient ZnO (Od-ZnO/NHCFs) is fabricated to achieve this integrated application. The oxygen vacancy in Od-ZnO/NHCFs is able to enhance the chemisorption of H2S and generates a ZnO/ZnS heterostructure; besides, it can enrich O2˙ radicals through electrostatic interaction to improve the catalytic oxidation of adsorbed H2S to elemental sulfur. Meanwhile, the hollow framework of NHCFs enables rapid gas diffusion and adequate storage space for solid sulfur; thus, the in situ construction of a high S-loading cathode (S@Od-ZnO/ZnS/NHCFs) for LSBs is realized during the desulfurization process. More importantly, the formed ZnO/ZnS heterostructure can boost the electrochemical kinetic behavior in the discharge/charge processes of LSBs. Coupled with the physical confinement of hollow structures on polysulfides, the as-prepared S@Od-ZnO/ZnS/NHCF cathode exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance in LSBs. This work opens up a new avenue for the synergistic application of high-performance LIB electrodes for the control and conversion of sulfur-containing pollutants.

Graphical abstract: Oxygen vacancy enhanced catalytic oxidation of H2S based on ZnO-incorporated N-doped hollow carbon nanofibers for cathode construction for high-performance Li–S batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 jun 2024
Accepted
19 aug 2024
First published
20 aug 2024

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024,12, 24983-24996

Oxygen vacancy enhanced catalytic oxidation of H2S based on ZnO-incorporated N-doped hollow carbon nanofibers for cathode construction for high-performance Li–S batteries

M. Sun, X. Wang, X. Ji, L. Qin, Z. Zhao and J. Qiu, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12, 24983 DOI: 10.1039/D4TA04138K

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