Sulfur-Rich Solid-Electrolyte Interphase in Graphite Anodes Enabled by Interfacial Sulfur Encapsulation

Abstract

Conventional solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on graphite anodes inherently suffers from sluggish interfacial kinetics, severely restricting their rate capability and operational lifespan. However, existing strategies for SEI engineering typically involve either complex multistep procedures, high feedstock costs, or stringent safety requirements, leaving a critical need for a practical approach. Herein, we develop a facile molten-phase method to construct a functional sulfur-rich SEI through homogeneous sulfur encapsulation followed by electrochemical activation. Such an engineered interphase effectively facilitates rapid ion conduction and minimizes interfacial impedance. Benefiting from the synergistic advantages, the Gr@S anode exhibits substantially enhanced lithium intercalation capacity and superior cycling stability relative to pristine graphite, enabling improved electrochemical performance. This work underscores the critical role of SEI engineering in advancing practical anode materials and establishes a promising pathway toward high-performance lithium-ion batteries.