Kinetics enhancement of lithium–sulfur batteries by interlinked hollow MoO2 sphere/nitrogen-doped graphene composite

Abstract

The shuttle effect and poor redox kinetics are vital issues restricting the evolution of lithium sulfur batteries; it is therefore exigent to rationally design an effective sulfur host. Hence, this paper reports a hollow MoO₂ sphere anchored on nitrogen-doped graphene. The hollow MoO₂ sphere controls the polysulfide dissolution, and the nitrogen-doped graphene provides a conductive network and high sulfur loading. Meanwhile, the C–O–Mo bond interlinking MoO₂ and N-doped graphene provides a pathway for electron transfer, and the synergistic effect enhances the kinetics of lithium sulfur batteries profitably. Ascribed to the unique structure of MoO₂/nitrogen-doped graphene, the obtained electrode exhibits a substantially enhanced electrochemical performance.