Sulfiphilic Nickel Phosphosulfide Enabled Li₂S Impregnation in 3D Graphene Cages for Li–S Batteries

Researchers combine the advantages of nonpolar carbon materials and polar metal phosphosulfides to stabilize the Li2S cathode by designing a 3D graphene cage with a thin layer of electrodeposited nickel phosphosulfides (denoted as Ni–P–S) for Li₂S impregnation, which has several advantages. Ni–P–S is highly conductive and can improve the electrical connectivity within the electrode as a novel and effective encapsulation material. The polar/hydrophilic nature of Ni–P–S favors the impregnation of Li₂S and allows the formation of strong chemical bond with lithium polysulfides and the electrodeposition method produces an ultrathin coating of Ni–P–S, which has little influence on its specific capacity, and also minimizes the diffusion distance of both lithium ions and electrons, resulting in enhanced rate performance.