MoP quantum dots based multifunctional efficient electrocatalyst for stable and long-life flexible lithium–sulfur batteries

The commercialization of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries is challenging, owing to factors like the poor conductivity of S, the 'shuttle effect', and the slow reaction kinetics. To address these challenges, MoP quantum dots were decorated on hollow carbon spheres (MoPQDs/C) in this study and used as an efficient lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) adsorbents and catalysts. In this approach polysulfides are effectively trapped through strong chemisorption and physical adsorption while simultaneously facilitating LiPSs conversion by enhancing the reaction kinetics. MXene serves as a flexible physical barrier (MoPQDs/C@MXene), further enhancing the confinement of LiPSs. Moreover, both materials are conductive, significantly facilitating electron and charge transfer. Additionally, the flexible MoPQDs/C@MXene–S electrode offers a large specific surface area for sulfur loading and withstand volume expansion during electrochemical processes. As a result, the MoPQDs/C@MXene–S electrode exhibits excellent long-term cyclability and maintains a robust specific capacity of 992 mA h g −1 even after 800cycles at a rate of 1.0C (1C = 1675 mA g −1 ), with a minimal capacity decay rate of 0.034 % per cycle. This work proposes an efficient strategy to fabricate highly efficient electrocatalysts for advanced Li–S batteries.