First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteries

The high energy density, low cost, and environmental sustainability of lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries render them highly promising as next-generation energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the commercial advancement of Li–S batteries faces obstacles, including the limited conductivity of sulfur, the...

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Main Authors: Liyuan Jiang, Bingqian Wang, Yulin Zhou, Yan Jiang, Zongyao Zhang, Zhengdao Li, Xinxin Zhao, Jianbao Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Chemical Physics Impact
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667022424003293
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author Liyuan Jiang
Bingqian Wang
Yulin Zhou
Yan Jiang
Zongyao Zhang
Zhengdao Li
Xinxin Zhao
Jianbao Wu
author_facet Liyuan Jiang
Bingqian Wang
Yulin Zhou
Yan Jiang
Zongyao Zhang
Zhengdao Li
Xinxin Zhao
Jianbao Wu
author_sort Liyuan Jiang
collection DOAJ
description The high energy density, low cost, and environmental sustainability of lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries render them highly promising as next-generation energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the commercial advancement of Li–S batteries faces obstacles, including the limited conductivity of sulfur, the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and the suboptimal efficiency of the discharging/charging process. Based on the theoretical calculation of density functional, the potential application of an FeN2 single-layer as a catalyst in Li–S batteries to overcome the abovementioned problems is studied. The results show that the FeN2 single-layer molecules have a metal electron structure and soluble LiPSs can effectively coordinate and bond with FeN2. Improving the overall conductivity and anchoring effect of sulfur can effectively inhibit the shuttle effect caused by LiPSs. It is worth noting that the FeN2 single-molecule membrane has dual functions, and it has electrocatalytic activity on both the sulfur reduction reaction and the Li2S decomposition reaction, thus improving the conversion efficiency of the discharging and charging processes. These findings may provide a reference for the development of high-performance Li–S batteries.
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issn 2667-0224
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Chemical Physics Impact
spelling doaj-art-0fcaf8eec2454dc4b68be60b476368ff2025-08-20T03:20:03ZengElsevierChemical Physics Impact2667-02242025-06-011010078510.1016/j.chphi.2024.100785First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteriesLiyuan Jiang0Bingqian Wang1Yulin Zhou2Yan Jiang3Zongyao Zhang4Zhengdao Li5Xinxin Zhao6Jianbao Wu7School of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaSchool of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaCorresponding author.; School of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, 333 Longteng Road, Shanghai, 201620, PR ChinaThe high energy density, low cost, and environmental sustainability of lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries render them highly promising as next-generation energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the commercial advancement of Li–S batteries faces obstacles, including the limited conductivity of sulfur, the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and the suboptimal efficiency of the discharging/charging process. Based on the theoretical calculation of density functional, the potential application of an FeN2 single-layer as a catalyst in Li–S batteries to overcome the abovementioned problems is studied. The results show that the FeN2 single-layer molecules have a metal electron structure and soluble LiPSs can effectively coordinate and bond with FeN2. Improving the overall conductivity and anchoring effect of sulfur can effectively inhibit the shuttle effect caused by LiPSs. It is worth noting that the FeN2 single-molecule membrane has dual functions, and it has electrocatalytic activity on both the sulfur reduction reaction and the Li2S decomposition reaction, thus improving the conversion efficiency of the discharging and charging processes. These findings may provide a reference for the development of high-performance Li–S batteries.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667022424003293ElectrocatalystShuttle effectFeN2 single layerLi–S batteriesFirst principles
spellingShingle Liyuan Jiang
Bingqian Wang
Yulin Zhou
Yan Jiang
Zongyao Zhang
Zhengdao Li
Xinxin Zhao
Jianbao Wu
First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteries
Chemical Physics Impact
Electrocatalyst
Shuttle effect
FeN2 single layer
Li–S batteries
First principles
title First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteries
title_full First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteries
title_fullStr First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteries
title_full_unstemmed First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteries
title_short First-principles investigations to evaluate FeN2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of Li–S batteries
title_sort first principles investigations to evaluate fen2 as an electrocatalyst to improve the performance of li s batteries
topic Electrocatalyst
Shuttle effect
FeN2 single layer
Li–S batteries
First principles
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667022424003293
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