Triple Effect of “Conductivity-Adsorption-Catalysis” Enables MXene@FeCoNiP to be Sulfur Hosts for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

The weak chemical immobilization ability and poor catalytic effect of MXene inhibit its application in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Herein, a novel MXene@FeCoNiP composite is rationally developed and utilized as a sulfur host for Li–S batteries. In this well-designed MXene-based nanostructure, the introduction of FeCoNiP in the interlayer of MXene nanosheets can not only effectively inhibit the restacking of MXene nanosheets but also act as an accelerator for the adsorption and catalysis of polysulfides to restrain the shuttling effect and facilitate the transformation of polysulfides. The existence of two-dimensional MXene nanosheets provides more active sites and improves the conductivity, which is beneficial for accelerating the reaction kinetics. Thus, the as-prepared MXene@FeCoNiP composites achieve an outstanding performance for Li–S batteries. This work provides an opportunity to construct an ideal sulfur host with the triple effect of “conductivity-adsorption-catalysis”.