Constructing ZnTe-CoTe2 heterostructures for enhanced long cycling performance of lithium-sulfur batteries

A type of bimetallic ZnTe-CoTe₂ heterostructure was synthesized adopting template-assisted method which was supported on N-doped carbon framework (NC) to serve as sulfur host for lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs). The NC structure not only could build efficient conductive channels for fast ion/electron transport, but also inhibit the polysulfides shuttling via multiple spatial confinement. Besides, the construction of ZnTe-CoTe₂ heterogeneous interface weakened the nucleation/decomposition barrier of Li₂S and promoted the bidirectional conversion of sulfur. Benefiting from the advantages mentioned above, therefore, the assembled batteries delivered a high initial discharge capacity of 1250 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 C and achieved enhanced long cycling performance with an attenuation rate of 0.047% at 1 C after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, even under sulfur loading of 4 mg cm^-2 and E/S ratio of 6 μL mg^-1, the area capacity could also reach to 3 mAh cm⁻².