Lithium-sulfur(Li-S)batteries with high theoretical specific energy are considered to be one of the highly promising next-generation energy storage systems.However,the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides(LiPSs)and the interfacial instability of Li anodes have seriously hindered the practical application of Li-S batteries.Optimizing the electrolyte composition with additives can significantly improve the battery performance and has attracted great attention.Herein,we propose an organometallic salt,i.e.,nickel bromide dimethoxyethane(NiBr_(2)DME),as an electrolyte additive,which serves as the dual function of regulating LiPSs redox and synchronously stabilizing Li anodes.We reveal that NiBr_(2)DME can interact with LiPSs via Ni-S and Li-Br bonds,and accelerate the mutual transformation of LiPSs,thus reducing the accumulation of LiPSs in the electrolyte.In addition,NiBr_(2)DME can form a stable LiBr-containing interfacial layer on the Li metal surface,and promote the uniform electrodeposition of Li^(+)ions,and inhibit the formation of Li dendrites.Thus,Li-S batteries with a concentration of 0.5 mmol L^(-1)NiBr_(2)DME show an initial capacity of 919.8 mAh g^(-1)at 0.2 C,and a high capacity retention of 89.3%after 100 cycles.Even at the 4 C rate,a high discharge capacity of 602.9 mAh g^(-1)is achieved.Surprisingly,the good cycling performance is maintained under poor electrolyte conditions with sulfur loading of 4.8 mg cm^(-2)and electrlyte/sulfur ratio of 5µL mg^(-1).This work provides a positive solution to achieve the suppression of shuttle effect,the regulation of LiPSs redox and the stabilization of Li anodes.
Yixuan MengMeifang ZhangYouliang WangChen LiuZe ZhangJi YuJianxin CaiZhenyu Yang