O-doping induced abundant active-sites in MoS2 nanosheets for propelling polysulfide conversion of Li-S batteries

The oxygen doped MoS2 nanosheets were in-situ grown into the three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene frameworks (O-MoS2/G) through a facile hydrothermal method, and then used to coat the commercial PP separators for Li-S batteries. The relatively low hydrothermal temperature should be a key factor for achieving the O-doped MoS2. The O dopants could expand and disturb interlayer structures of MoS2 to produce abundant active edge sites for adsorption and catalytic conversion of polysulfides. Moreover, the basal planes of MoS2 should be also activated by the O doping and exhibit enhanced chemical adsorption strength towards polysulfides for propelling electrochemical conversion. Owing to the synergistic effects of the 3D porous graphene frameworks and the inlaid O-MoS2 nanosheets, the Li-S cells with high S areal loading cathodes and O-MoS2/G@PP separators exhibit excellent electrochemical performances with a high specific capacity of 1141 mAh g−1 at the 1st cycle at 0.1 C, reversible capacities of 772 mAh g−1 at the 50th cycle at 0.2 C and 583 mAh g−1 at the 100th cycle at 0.5 C. These encouraging results provide that the heteroatom doping should be a promising approach to improve the adsorption and catalytic activity of MoS2 for propelling the polysulfide conversion in Li-S batteries. [Display omitted] •Doped MoS2 nanosheets were in-situ grown into the 3D porous graphene frameworks.•Low hydrothermal temperature should be a key factor for achieving the O-doped MoS2.•Dopants in the MoS2 could produce active edge sites for adsorption and catalysis.•The basal planes of MoS2 should be activated by the O doping.•Li-S cells with O-MoS2/G@PP separators exhibit excellent electrochemical performance.