The conversion of sulfur species within lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries involves a continuous and intricate process, wherein the deposition of solid Li2S represents a critical step for attaining superior battery performance. In this study, guided by the relationship between Li2S deposition and the structural characteristics of the sulfur host material, we have meticulously engineered a multifunctional sulfur host aimed at improving the performance of Li–S batteries. Experimental results demonstrate that the CVN-800 host material achieves an optimal balance among electronic conductivity, specific surface area, and catalytic activity, thereby facilitating the reaction kinetics associated with sulfur chemistry. Consequently, Li–S batteries employing the CVN-800/S cathode exhibit a high discharge specific capacity of 1342 mAh g–1 at 0.1 C and maintain good cycling stability over 500 cycles at 1 C, with a low fading rate of 0.08% per cycle. This investigation confirms the viability of manipulating the microstructural features of the host to regulate lithium polysulfide deposition, offering valuable insights for the development of high-energy-density Li–S battery systems.
Xiang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.