Volume 19, Issue 48 2304515
Research Article

Polyoxometalates@Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived Bimetallic Co/Mo2C Nanoparticles Embedded in Carbon Nanotube-Interwoven Hierarchically Porous Carbon Polyhedron Composite as a High-Efficiency Electrocatalyst for Al–S Batteries

Qiuping Zhou

Qiuping Zhou

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

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Xuecheng Zhang

Xuecheng Zhang

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

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Yuchao Wu

Yuchao Wu

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

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Xinyuan Jiang

Xinyuan Jiang

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

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Tangsuo Li

Tangsuo Li

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

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Ming Chen

Ming Chen

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

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Lubin Ni

Corresponding Author

Lubin Ni

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Guowang Diao

Corresponding Author

Guowang Diao

School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002 P. R. China

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 04 August 2023
Citations: 2

Abstract

Al–S battery (ASB) is a promising energy storage device, notable for its safety, crustal abundance, and high theoretical energy density. However, its development faces challenges due to slow reaction kinetics and poor reversibility. The creation of a multifunctional cathode material that can both adsorb polysulfides and accelerate their conversion is key to advancing ASB. Herein, a composite composed of polyoxometalate nanohybridization-derived Mo2C and N-doped carbon nanotube-interwoven polyhedrons (Co/Mo2C@NCNHP) is proposed for the first time as an electrochemical catalyst in the sulfur cathode. This composite improves the utilization and conductivity of sulfur within the cathode. DFT calculations and experimental results indicate that Co enables the chemisorption of polysulfides while Mo2C catalyzes the reduction reaction of long-chain polysulfides. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and in situ UV analysis reveal the different intermediates of Al polysulfide species in Co/Mo2C@NCNHP during discharging/charging. As a cathode material for ASB, Co/Mo2C@NCNHP@S composite can deliver a discharge-charge voltage hysteresis of 0.75 V with a specific capacity of 370 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at 1A g−1.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

Research data are not shared.

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