The synergistic adsorption-catalysis research of highly efficient interlayer constructed from coal fly ash for superior lithium-sulfur batteries

The notorious shuttle effect severely limits the practical application of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries (LSBs). In line with the concept of "green chemistry", industrial solid waste is reasonably applied to the design of battery's interlayer. The modified coal fly ash (MCFA) can effectively accelerate the redox kinetics of the electrode and optimize the nucleation and decomposition of Li2S. The synergistic adsorption and catalytic action from rich pore structure and polar metal oxides can effectively capture and fix free polysulfide (LiPSs), which realizes the inhibition of shuttle effect. The LSBs with MCFA interlayer exhibit good cycle stability (decay-rate: 0.05% per cycle) and rate capability (703 mAh g−1 at 3C). Even under extreme conditions of poor electrolytes (E/S = 7.8 μL /mg), Cell-MCFA/PE with a high S loading (7.5 mg cm−2) still performs well (732 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles). This work provides an economical and environment-friendly strategy for the design of interlayer, which is conducive to the commercialization process of LSBs.