Operando Observation of Inter‐Particle Li <sup>+</sup> Transport in Layered Bimetallic Sulfides for High‐Rate Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries

L Lei Chen K Kaizhi Chen (Institute of Energy Materials Science (IEMS) University of Shanghai for Science and Technology Shanghai P. R. China) J Jing Yu (Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS), Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921, Singapore) D Dawei Yang (Henan Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Quantum Energy, School of Quantum Information Future Technology) Y Yunxiao Wang C Canhuang Li (Catalonia Institute for Energy Research-IREC, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona 08930, Spain) Y Yao‐Jie Lei (Centre for Clean Energy Technology Faculty of Science University of Technology Sydney Sydney NSW Australia) J Jie Zhang J Jirong Mou (School of Physics and Electronics Gannan Normal University Ganzhou P. R. China) Q Qianhong Gong (Henan Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Quantum Energy, School of Quantum Information Future Technology Henan University Kaifeng P. R. China) W Wei Bi (School of Materials and Chemistry) C Chao Yuan (Department of Preventive Dentistry) Z Zhenyu Xiao L Ligang Xu J Jiefeng Diao (Department of Chemistry) M Mingxue Tang (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research) G Graeme Henkelman J Jordi Arbiol (Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology − ICN2 (CSIC and BIST), Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain) G Guangmin Zhou A Andreu Cabot (Catalonia Institute for Energy Research-IREC, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona 08930, Spain) W Wei‐Hong Lai (Laboratory of Advanced Materials Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials Fudan University Shanghai P. R. China)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The slow reaction kinetics, particularly at high rates, hinder the practical use of lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs). To overcome the inadequate ion transport in conventional electrodes, a two‐dimensional layered bimetallic sulfide (FeMo 2 S 4 ) as a sulfur host, creating fast ion‐conduction pathways is developed. Using a free‐standing FeMo 2 S 4 /carbon cloth cathode with a Li 2 S 6 catholyte, high‐rate performance is achieved. Crucially, in situ high‐resolution TEM directly visualized rapid inter‐particle lithium ion transport between the layered FeMo 2 S 4 flakes, offering direct evidence of enhanced kinetics. This phenomenon, combined with strong polysulfide adsorption and high catalytic activity, boosts reaction rates. The Li 2 S 6 ‐based battery delivered a high initial capacity of 1516 mAh g − 1 and outstanding stability with only 0.028% decay per cycle at 3C. This work highlights the effectiveness of layered hosts with fast ion channels and bimetallic catalysis for durable, high‐rate LSBs.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 26
Published May 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (21)

L

Lei Chen

K

Kaizhi Chen

Institute of Energy Materials Science (IEMS) University of Shanghai for Science and Technology Shanghai P. R. China

J

Jing Yu

Institute for Digital Molecular Analytics and Science (IDMxS), Nanyang Technological University, 59 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 636921, Singapore

D

Dawei Yang

Henan Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Quantum Energy, School of Quantum Information Future Technology

Y

Yunxiao Wang

C

Canhuang Li

Catalonia Institute for Energy Research-IREC, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona 08930, Spain

Y

Yao‐Jie Lei

Centre for Clean Energy Technology Faculty of Science University of Technology Sydney Sydney NSW Australia

J

Jie Zhang

J

Jirong Mou

School of Physics and Electronics Gannan Normal University Ganzhou P. R. China

Q

Qianhong Gong

Henan Key Laboratory of Quantum Materials and Quantum Energy, School of Quantum Information Future Technology Henan University Kaifeng P. R. China

W

Wei Bi

School of Materials and Chemistry

C

Chao Yuan

Department of Preventive Dentistry

Z

Zhenyu Xiao

L

Ligang Xu

J

Jiefeng Diao

Department of Chemistry

M

Mingxue Tang

Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research

G

Graeme Henkelman

J

Jordi Arbiol

Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology − ICN2 (CSIC and BIST), Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Catalonia 08193, Spain

G

Guangmin Zhou

A

Andreu Cabot

Catalonia Institute for Energy Research-IREC, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Barcelona 08930, Spain

W

Wei‐Hong Lai

Laboratory of Advanced Materials Shanghai Key Lab of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials Fudan University Shanghai P. R. China