Synergistic effect of VS₂/MoS₂ as an electrocatalyst for accelerating polysulfide conversion of lithium–sulfur batteries

The shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) poses a formidable challenge that severely compromises the electrochemical performance of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. This study introduces a unique lamellar stacked VS₂/MoS₂ nanoflower structure, prepared using a simple one-step hydrothermal synthesis method, to reduce the polysulfide shuttle effect in Li–S batteries. VS₂/MoS₂ synergistically boosts LiPS conversion, combining VS₂’s high conductivity with the catalytic activity of MoS2, as confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Electrochemical testing demonstrated excellent performance for VS₂/MoS₂@S cathodes. It delivers an initial discharge-specific capacity of 1353 mAh g^–1 at 0.1 C, and at 1 C, the capacity remains as high as 925 mAh g^–1. At 0.2 C, the initial discharge-specific capacity is 1299 mAh g^–1, and the capacity retention rate reaches 55% after 500 cycles. This study provides valuable insights into designing and engineering high-performance heterostructures to enhance the adsorption of LiPSs and improve the reaction kinetics in Li–S batteries.