Synergistic catalysis of bimetallic tellurides on biomass-derived carbon for polysulfide conversion in LiS batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li S) batteries are limited by polysulfide shuttle and kinetically hindered redox react ions. From a bionic perspective, a layered poplar wood-derived carbon (LPWC) scaffold with intrinsic laminar porosity and three-dimensional ion diffusion channels was developed via acid pretreatment and one-step carbonization. The LPWC framework with uniformly distributed ZnTe/CoTe2 provides multidimensional ion/electron transport, modulates local electronic states, and enables synergistic Zn Co catalysis for efficient reactions. Mechanistic insights are experimentally derived, eliminating the need for computational modeling or theoretical simulation. Importantly, thermal treatment at 1200 °C led to an optimized carbon microstructure and uniform distribution of active telluride phases, yielding a high initial capacity of 931.09 mAh g-1, retains 239.01 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 0.1C (retention 25.67%, decay 0.07%·cycle-1). The electrode delivers stable capacities up to 2C, and capacity recovery of 64.09% is maintained when returning to 0.1C, evidencing excellent reversibility. Electrochemical impedance and cyclic voltammetry indicate reduced interfacial resistance and promoted redox kinetics. This approach bridges green fabrication with interface engineering, offering a practical pathway for scalable and durable lithium–sulfur batteries.