P-doped Mo2C nanoparticles embedded on carbon nanofibers as an efficient electrocatalyst for Li-S batteries

Designing a reliable sulfur host that can simultaneously catalyze sulfur redox reactions and suppress polysulfides shuttling is highly desired for the development of advancing Li-S batteries. In this work, P-doped Mo2C nanoparticles anchoring on carbon nanofibers (CNF) is prepared via an organic-inorganic nanohybridization process. The interwoven CNF networks establish continuous electrons transport pathways and provide a large surface area for loading P-Mo2C nanoparticles. The P dopant tunes the electronic structure of Mo2C, which endows PMo2C with enhanced polysulfides adsorption ability and improved sulfur redox kinetics. Leveraging these advantages, the Li-S battery shows excellent electrochemical properties, delivering a high specific capacity of 1174 mA center dot h center dot g(-1) at 0.2 C, and maintaining over 1200 stable cycles at 1 C with a low capacity attenuation rate of 0.043 % per cycle. At a S loading of 4.88 mg center dot cm(-2) and E/S ratio of 8.25 mu L center dot mg(-1), the Li-S battery attains an areal capacity of 6.50 mA center dot h center dot cm(-2) at 0.05 C. These results highlight the promising application potential of PMo2C@CNF as an effective electrocatalyst for Li-S batteries.