Synergistic Effect of VS_<b>2</b>/MoS_<b>2</b> as an Electrocatalyst for Accelerating Polysulfide Conversion in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

The shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) poses a formidable challenge that severely compromises the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. This study introduces a unique lamellar stacked VS₂/MoS₂ nanoflower structure, prepared using a simple one-step hydrothermal synthesis method, to reduce the polysulfide shuttle effect in Li-S batteries. VS₂/MoS₂ synergistically boosts LiPS conversion, combining VS₂'s high conductivity with the catalytic activity of MoS₂, as confirmed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Electrochemical testing demonstrated excellent performance for VS₂/MoS₂@S cathodes. It delivers an initial discharge-specific capacity of 1353 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C, and at 1 C, the capacity remains as high as 925 mAh g^-1. At 0.2 C, the initial discharge-specific capacity is 1299 mAh g^-1, and the capacity retention rate reaches 55% after 500 cycles. This study provides valuable insights into designing and engineering high-performance heterostructures to enhance the adsorption of LiPSs and improve the reaction kinetics in Li-S batteries.