Perovskite transition metal oxide of nanofibers as catalytic hosts for lithium–sulfur battery

The shuttle effect and slow conversion kinetics of lithium polysulfides have seriously hindered the practical application of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Herein, the transition metal oxide of LaFeO3 with perovskite structure is introduced into the sulfur cathode as a host material, which presents high tap density and excellent electrical conductivity. LaFeO3 nanofibers prepared by electrospinning not only have remarkable electron and ion-conducting networks, but also appear excellent chemical adsorption and catalytic activities for soluble lithium polysulfides. Consequently, the sulfur/LaFeO3 composite exhibits a slow capacity decay rate of 0.08 % per cycle within 300 cycles at 2 C rate and a high initial areal discharge capacity of 5.9 mAh cm−2 at high sulfur loading of 5 mg cm−2. This work provides an effective strategy by using perovskite transition metal oxides as sulfur host materials for high-performance Li–S batteries. [Display omitted] •Perovskite LaFeO3 nanofibers were fabricated as host materials of sulfur.•LaFeO3 presents a high catalytic activity for sulfur conversion.•S/LaFeO3 composite demonstrates enhanced cyclability and rate capability.