Strategies of Boosting Synergistic Adsorption-Catalysis Effect for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have rapidly emerged as a fascinating energy storage system over the past decade with high theoretical energy density and cost-effectiveness. However, the shuttle of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and sluggish kinetics of sulfur evolution reactions remain hindrances to the industrialization of Li-S batteries. Recently, the adsorption-catalysis synergistic effect created by LiPSs mediators has been discovered to be an efficient remedy to cope with these obstacles. It has been demonstrated that chemical adsorption can effectively inhibit the dissolution of LiPSs into the electrolyte, while catalysis can accelerate the sulfur evolution reactions. To ensure the full participation of LiPSs in the conversion reactions, these effects need to be accompanied by each other. In this review, we spotlight the strategies for balancing and strengthening the adsorption-catalysis effect toward effective regulation of the sulfur evolution reactions. Firstly, mechanistic insights into the interactions between the mediators and polysulfides are comprehensively reviewed. Subsequently, the recent advancement in designing the adsorption-catalysis effect is systematically summarized. Finally, several key points for future research to develop high-density and long-life Li-S batteries will be proposed.