Synergistic Defect Engineering and Interface Stability of Activated Carbon Nanotubes Enabling Ultralong Lifespan All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

All-in-One Homogenized Sulfur/Cobalt Disulfide Composite Cathodes for Harmonious Interface All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The development of high-performance all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) has garnered considerable attention due to their potential for high energy density and enhanced safety. However, significant challenges such as poor cycling stability, interface incompatibility, and reaction kinetics hinder severely their practical application. In this work, an all-in-one sulfur/cobalt disulfide (S/CoS2) composite cathode is proposed by integrating sulfur and homogenized cobalt disulfide (CoS2) as the sulfur-based cathode materials with the sulfide solid electrolyte (Li6PS5Cl) through ball milling. This strategy combines the homogenization effect and catalytic effect of CoS2 to improve the interfacial compatibility and reaction kinetics of the sulfur-based cathode, thereby reducing interfacial resistance and enhancing overall battery performance. It is confirmed that the introduction of homogenized CoS2 can significantly improve interfacial lithium-ion transport, enhancing the rate performance. More importantly, it promotes the conversion of S to Li2S, improving the utilization rate and reaction kinetics of the ASSLSBs. The S/CoS2 cathode delivers an impressive initial discharge capacity of 1584 mA h g-1 with a capacity utilization of 99% at a current density of 0.25 mA cm-2 and maintains 915 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles. Even at 1.28 mA cm-2, the cathode exhibits a specific capacity of 474 mA h g-1. This all-in-one strategy provides valuable insights into the design of next-generation ASSLSBs and holds significant potential for future energy storage technologies.

The Accurate Synthesis of a Multiscale Metallic Interface on Graphdiyne

The accurate construction of composite material systems containing graphdiyne (GDY) and other metallic materials has promoted the formation of innovative structures and practical applications in the fields of energy, catalysis, optoelectronics, and biomedicine. To fulfill the practical requirements, the precise formation of multiscale interfaces over a wide range, from single atoms to nanostructures, plays an important role in the optimization of the structural design and properties. The intrinsic correlations between the structure, synthesis process, characteristic properties, and device performance are systematically investigated. This review outlines the current research achievements regarding the controlled formation of multiscale metallic interfaces on GDY. Synthetic strategies for interface regulation, as well as the correlation between the structure and performance, are presented. Furthermore, innovative research ideas for the design and synthesis of functional metal-based materials loaded onto GDY-based substances are also provided, demonstrating the promising application potential of GDY-based materials.

Activating Redox Kinetics of Li2S via Cu+, I- Co-Doping Toward High-Performance All-Solid-State Lithium Sulfide-Based Batteries

All-solid-state lithium sulfide-based batteries (ASSLSBs) have drawn much attention due to their intrinsic safety and excellent performance in overcoming the polysulfide shuttle effect. However, the sluggish kinetics of Li2S cathode severely impede commercial utilization. Here, a Cu+, I- co-doping strategy is employed to activate the kinetics of Li2S to construct high-performance ASSLSBs. The electronic conductivity and Li-ion diffusion coefficient of the co-doped Li2S are increased by five and two orders of magnitude, respectively. Cu+ as a redox medium greatly improves the reaction kinetics, which is supported by ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculation (DFT) shows that Cu+, I- co-doping reduces the Li-ions diffusion energy barrier. The co-doped Li2S exhibits a remarkable improvement in capacity (1165.23 mAh g-1 (6.65 times that of pristine Li2S) at 0.02 C and 592.75 mAh g-1 at 2 C), and excellent cycling stability (84.58% capacity retention after 6200 cycles at 2 C) at room temperature. Moreover, an ASSLSB, fabricated with a lithium-free (Si─C) anode, obtains a high specific capacity of 1082.7 mAh g-1 at 0.05 C and 97% capacity retention after 400 cycles at 0.5 C. This work provides a broad prospect for the development of ASSLSBs with practical energy density exceeding that of traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Enhanced Cycling Stability of All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Battery through Nonconductive Polar Hosts

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) are promising next-generation battery technologies with a high energy density and excellent safety. Because of the insulating nature of sulfur/Li2S, conventional cathode designs focus on developing porous hosts with high electronic conductivities such as porous carbon. However, carbon hosts boost the decomposition of sulfide electrolytes and suffer from sulfur detachment due to their weak bonding with sulfur/Li2S, resulting in capacity decays. Herein, we propose a counterintuitive design concept of host materials in which nonconductive polar mesoporous hosts can enhance the cycling life of ASSLSBs through mitigating the decomposition of adjacent electrolytes and bonding sulfur/Li2S steadily to avoid detachment. By using a mesoporous SiO2 host filled with 70 wt % sulfur as the cathode, we demonstrate steady cycling in ASSLSBs with a capacity reversibility of 95.1% in the initial cycle and a discharge capacity of 1446 mAh/g after 500 cycles at C/5 based on the mass of sulfur.

Bridging the gap between academic research and industrial development in advanced all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries

The energy storage and vehicle industries are heavily investing in advancing all-solid-state batteries to overcome critical limitations in existing liquid electrolyte-based lithium-ion batteries, specifically focusing on mitigating fire hazards and improving energy density. All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs), featuring earth-abundant sulfur cathodes, high-capacity metallic lithium anodes, and non-flammable solid electrolytes, hold significant promise. Despite these appealing advantages, persistent challenges like sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, lithium metal failure, solid electrolyte degradation, and manufacturing complexities hinder their practical use. To facilitate the transition of these technologies to an industrial scale, bridging the gap between fundamental scientific research and applied R&D activities is crucial. Our review will address the inherent challenges in cell chemistries within ASSLSBs, explore advanced characterization techniques, and delve into innovative cell structure designs. Furthermore, we will provide an overview of the recent trends in R&D and investment activities from both academia and industry. Building on the fundamental understandings and significant progress that has been made thus far, our objective is to motivate the battery community to advance ASSLSBs in a practical direction and propel the industrialized process.