Synergistic physical and chemical effects of MOF-derived porous Fe3C–NC to boost the performance of Li–S batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are one of the key objects of next-generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density and low-cost characteristics. However, the slow reaction kinetics and serious shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) have hindered their practical application. In this work, metal-organic framework-derived Fe3C decorated nitrogen-doped carbon matrix (Fe3C–NC) composites were prepared to modify the separator to promote the reaction kinetics of Li–S batteries. The porous and conductive NC facilitates the trapping of LiPSs, rapid transfer of charge, and alleviated volume expansion, while the Fe3C–NC with optimum Fe3C content can significantly reduce the energy barrier of the electrochemical conversion reaction, accelerate the transport of lithium ions, and enhance the reaction kinetics of LiPSs, which are conducive to inhibit the shuttle effect through synergistic physical and chemical interactions. The Li–S battery with Fe3C–NC separator exhibits excellent cycle stability with an initial discharge specific capacity of 1099.19 mAh g−1 at 1 C and a low-capacity decay of 0.068% per cycle over 500 cycles. Even at a high S loading of 5.93 mg cm−2, it still delivers reliable cyclic stability with an initial discharge specific capacity of 903.65 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C. This work provides a convenient and effective method for the application of metallic materials combined with nitrogen-doped carbon matrix in high-performance Li–S batteries.