Yolk-Shell Nano ZnO@Co-Doped NiO with Efficient Polarization Adsorption and Catalysis Performance for Superior Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Achieving strong adsorption and catalytic ability toward polar lithium polysulfide species (LiPSs) of the sulfur host in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is essential for their electrochemical cyclic stability. Herein, a strategy of "self-termination of ion exchange" is put forward to synthesize the novel yolk-shell sulfur host composed of ZnO nanoparticles confined in Co-doped NiO (CDN) polyhedron (ZCCDN). After sulfur infiltration, the obtained S/ZCCDN cathode achieves excellent performance of 738.56 mAh g-1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 C with a very low capacity decay rate of only 0.048% per cycle. Even at 1 C, 501.05 mAh g-1 could be retained after 500 cycles, suggesting a capacity decay ratio of only 0.076% per cycle. The good cycle performance is attributed to the improved LiPSs' conversion kinetics, which originates from ZCCDN's sturdy chemical affinity and strong catalytic ability to polar LiPSs. For the first time, by electron holography, the local interfacial polarization electric field is clarified to be existed in the material which is conducive to the capture of LiPSs and the migration of electrons and Li+ from the mesopores. This work provides a rational way for the use of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) and development of cathode materials for Li-S batteries.