Synergetic Interlayer in Li-S Batteries: Polysulfide-Impeding Effect of Conductive Carbon Cloth Supporting Topological-Phase Bi2Se3

Abstract

The shuttle effect and sluggish sulfur conversion kinetics hamper the development of lithium–sulfur batteries. In this study, Bi₂Se₃ nanosheets were grown in-situ directly on a carbon cloth and adopted as an interlayer in lithium–sulfur batteries to accelerate sulfur chemistry kinetics. The topological phase of Bi₂Se₃ can effectively anchor soluble sulfur species, whereas the conductive carbon cloth provides electron transport pathways for the adsorbed polysulfides. Such a synergetic effect between the topological phase and conductive network impedes the severe shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides and accelerates the sulfur electrochemical redox reaction. Benefiting from such merits, a significantly improved specific capacity of 505 mAh g⁻¹ at 4 C and cycling stability beyond 100 cycles with an average capacity decay rate of 0.16 % per cycle at 0.2 C was achieved when the interlayer was adopted in lithium–sulfur batteries. This study demonstrates the potential implementation of topological materials in advanced lithium–sulfur batteries.