Citation: Han WANG, Baihui CHEN, Chunlai WANG, Zhitao SHAO. Preparation and performance of lithium-sulfur battery of Ni₂P/carbon nanotube modified separator[J]. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, ;2026, 42(5): 933-943. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250334 shu

Preparation and performance of lithium-sulfur battery of Ni₂P/carbon nanotube modified separator

Han WANG ¹ ,
Baihui CHEN ¹ ,
Chunlai WANG ^1,, ,
Zhitao SHAO ^2,,

1.
Key Laboratory for Photonic and Electronic Bandgap Materials, Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
2.
Modern Educational Technology and Experiment Center, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China

Corresponding author: Chunlai WANG, hsdwcl2008@163.com Zhitao SHAO, sztstudy@163.com
Received Date: 8 November 2025
Revised Date: 30 January 2026

Figures(7)

a Ni₂P/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite modified polypropylene (PP) separator was designed to construct an integrated "catalytic-barrier" interface, aiming to facilitate the conversion of lithium polysulfide (Li₂S_n) and suppress the shuttle effect. The excellent catalytic properties of Ni₂P/CNT effectively accelerate the transformation of Li₂S_n and improve the redox kinetics, thereby increasing the utilization of active materials and significantly mitigating the shuttle effect. Batteries employing the Ni₂P/CNT/PP separator exhibited superior performance, achieving a high initial discharge specific capacity of 1 281.8 mAh·g^-1 at 0.1C (1C=1 675 mAh·g^-1). Achieving a high initial discharge specific capacity of 907 mAh·g^-1 at a current density of 1C, after 800 cycles, the average capacity decay rate was only 0.047% per cycle, demonstrating excellent cycling stability. Even under the high sulfur loading condition of 4.2 mg·cm^-2, the battery with Ni₂P/CNT/PP separator could still achieve a high discharge specific capacity of 870.83 mAh·g^-1 at a current density of 0.5C, indicating that it has good practical application potential.
- lithium-sulfur battery,
- functional separator,
- catalytic conversion,
- redox kinetics,
- Ni₂P
1. [1]
  WEI Z Z, ZHANG N X, FENG T, WU F, ZHAO T, CHEN R J. A copolymer microspheres-coated separator to enhance thermal stability of lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Chem. Eng. J., 2022, 430: 132678 doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.132678
2. [2]
  LUO Z H, SHI Y, AN J Y, ZHENG D Y, LI L, OUYANG Q S, SHI B, SHAO J J. Two-dimensional silica-modified polyethylene oxide solid polymer electrolyte to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries[J]. Chinese J. Inorg. Chem., 2024, 40(5): 1005-1014
3. [3]
  ZHU J W, JIN S, KONG X H, JI H X. Finding the ideal electrocatalyst match for sulfur redox reactions in Li-S batteries[J]. Acc. Mater. Res., 2024, 5(1): 35-47 doi: 10.1021/accountsmr.3c00167
4. [4]
  WAQAS M, NIU Y H, TANG M J, PANG Y H, ALI S, DONG Y F, LV W Q, HE W D. A decade of development in cathode-facing surface modified separators for high-performance Li-S batteries[J]. Energy Storage Mater., 2024, 72: 103682 doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2024.103682
5. [5]
  NITOU M N M, YU W, WAQAS M, ZHANG Z H, CHEN D Q, YU H S, TANG M J, FANG X D, LIU R, PANG Y S, SAMYNATHAN A, SONDRA B D, NIU Y H, LV W Q, CHEN Y F. Advances in cathode′s microstructure modification to boost performance of lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Green Energy Environ., 2025, 10(12): 2351-2391 doi: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.06.006
6. [6]
  SONG Y W, SHEN L, YAO N, FENG S, CHENG Q, MA J, CHEN X, LI B Q, ZHANG Q. Anion-involved solvation structure of lithium polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Angew. Chem.‒Int. Edit., 2024, 63(19): e202400343 doi: 10.1002/anie.202400343
7. [7]
  KIM S, SONG H, JEONG Y. Flexible catholyte@carbon nanotube film electrode for high-performance lithium sulfur battery[J]. Carbon, 2017, 113: 371-378 doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2016.11.019
8. [8]
  LUO Z Z, ZHANG Y, ZHANG C H, TAN H T, LI Z, ABUTAHA A, WU X L, XIONG Q H, KHOR K A, HIPPALGAONKAR K, XU J W, HNG H H, YAN Q Y. Multifunctional 0D-2D Ni₂P nanocrystals-black phosphorus heterostructure[J]. Adv. Energy Mater., 2017, 7(2): 1601285 doi: 10.1002/aenm.201601285
9. [9]
  WU N, WANG J L, LIAO C, HAN L F, SONG L, HU Y, MU X W, KAN Y C. A flame retardant separator modified by MOFs-derived hybrid for safe and efficient Li-S batteries[J]. J. Energy Chem., 2022, 64: 372-384 doi: 10.1016/j.jechem.2021.05.001
10. [10]
  HWANG J Y, PARK H, KIM H, KANSARA S, SUN Y K. Advanced cathodes for practical lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Acc. Mater. Res., 2025, 6(2): 245-258 doi: 10.1021/accountsmr.4c00368
11. [11]
  ZHANG L L, WANG Y J, NIU Z Q, CHEN J. Advanced nanostructured carbon-based materials for rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Carbon, 2019, 141: 400-416 doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.09.067
12. [12]
  XIA S, XU X M, WU W Z, CHEN Y H, LIU L L, WANG G J, FU L J, ZHANG Q Y, WANG T, HE J R, WU Y P. Advancements in functionalized high-performance separators for lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Mater. Sci. Eng., 2025, 163: 100924 doi: 10.1016/j.mser.2025.100924
13. [13]
  ZHONG Y R, YIN L C, HE P, LIU W, WU Z S, WANG H L. Surface chemistry in cobalt phosphide-stabilized lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2018, 140(4): 1455-1459 doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b11434
14. [14]
  ZHOU L, DANILOV D L, QIAO F, WANG J F, LI H T, EICHEL R, NOTTEN P H L. Sulfur reduction reaction in lithium-sulfur batteries: Mechanisms, catalysts, and characterization[J]. Adv. Energy Mater., 2022, 12(44): 2202094 doi: 10.1002/aenm.202202094
15. [15]
  LI Z J, ZHOU Y C, WANG Y, LU Y C. Solvent-mediated Li₂S electrodeposition: A critical manipulator in lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Adv. Energy Mater., 2019, 9(1): 1802207 doi: 10.1002/aenm.201802207
16. [16]
  LI G R, WANG S, ZHANG Y N, LI M, CHEN Z W, LU J. Revisiting the role of polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Adv. Mater, 2018, 30(22): 1705590 doi: 10.1002/adma.201705590
17. [17]
  LI C, LIU R, XIAO Y, CAO F F, ZHANG H. Recent progress of separators in lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Energy Storage Mater., 2021, 40: 439-460 doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2021.05.034
18. [18]
  LUO Y F, ZHENG Z J. Chemical reactions in lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Chem, 2025, 11(11): 102629 doi: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102629
19. [19]
  RAZA H, BAI S Y, CHENG J Y, MAJUMDER S, ZHU H, LIU Q, ZHENG G P, LI X F, CHEN G H. Li-S batteries: Challenges, achievements and opportunities[J]. Electrochem. Energy Rev., 2023, 6(1): 29
20. [20]
  LI Z, SUN Y J, WU X J, YUAN H, YU Y, TAN Y Q. Boosting adsorption and catalysis of polysulfides by multifunctional separator for lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. ACS Energy Lett., 2022, 7(12): 4190-4197 doi: 10.1021/acsenergylett.2c02232
21. [21]
  CHUNG S H, CHANG C H, MANTHIRAM A. Progress on the critical parameters for lithium-sulfur batteries to be practically viable[J]. Adv. Funct. Mater., 2018, 28(28): 1801188 doi: 10.1002/adfm.201801188
22. [22]
  DU S B, YU Y Y, LIU X B, LU D Q, YUE X H, LIU T, YIN Y H, WU Z P. Catalytic engineering for polysulfide conversion in high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2024, 186: 110-131 doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.11.016
23. [23]
  LUO Z H, ZHENG M, ZHOU M X, SHENG X T, CHEN X L, SHAO J J, WANG T S, ZHOU G M. 2D nanochannel interlayer realizing high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Adv. Mater., 2025, 37(9): 2417321 doi: 10.1002/adma.202417321
24. [24]
  SONG Y, ZHOU M X, CHEN Z, NIE H L, SHAO J J, ZHOU G M. Integrated interconnected porous and lamellar structures realized fast ion/electron conductivity in high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Chin. Chem. Lett., 2024, 35(6): 109200 doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109200
25. [25]
  LONG X, LUO Z H, ZHOU W H, ZHU S K, SONG Y, LI H, GENG C N, SHI B, HAN Z Y, ZHOU G M, LV W, SHAO J J. Two-dimensional montmorillonite-based heterostructure for high-rate and long-life lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Energy Storage Mater., 2022, 52: 120-129 doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2022.07.041
26. [26]
  XIAO W, YOO K, KIM J, XU H Y. Balanced d-band model: A framework for balancing redox reactions in lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. ACS Nano, 2024, 18(47): 32732-32745 doi: 10.1021/acsnano.4c10348
27. [27]
  SONI R, ROBINSON J B, SHEARING P R, BRETT D J L, RETTIE A J E, MILLER T S. Lithium-sulfur battery diagnostics through distribution of relaxation times analysis[J]. Energy Storage Mater., 2022, 51: 97-107 doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2022.06.016
28. [28]
  CHEN J, QUATTROCCHI E, CIUCCI F, CHEN Y H. Charging processes in lithium-oxygen batteries unraveled through the lens of the distribution of relaxation times[J]. Chem, 2023, 9(8): 2267-2281 doi: 10.1016/j.chempr.2023.04.022
29. [29]
  WANG P, MOU H Y, WANG Y, SONG N, LI X G, FENG J K, XI B J, XIONG S L. Niobium phosphide-induced sulfur cathode interface with fast lithium-ion flux enables highly stable lithium-sulfur catalytic conversion[J]. Angew. Chem.‒Int. Edit., 2025, 64(20): e202502255 doi: 10.1002/anie.202502255
30. [30]
  LI H Y, HUANG Z P, QIAN P S, WANG Y Q, GAO R, BENDOUNAN A, WANG H M, CHEN Z S, ZENG H B, LI G R. Phosphorus-tuned nickel boride nanocatalyst with enhanced p-p interaction for expediting sulfur electrochemistry in lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Adv. Funct. Mater., 2025, 35(16): 2419837
31. [31]
  HAN F F, ZHANG L R, JIN Q, MA X Z, ZHANG Z G, SUN Z H, ZHANG X T, WU L L. High rate and long-cycle life of lithium-sulfur battery enabled by high d-band center of high-entropy alloys[J]. ACS Nano, 2025, 19(9): 9182-9195
32. [32]
  JIA Y Y, WANG Z L, HAN Z Y, LI J F, ZHANG M T, LAO Z J, HAN Y Q, GAO R H, GAO J, ZHENG Z Y, CHEN A, LI H, MAO R, TAO K H, LI J J, ZHOU G M. Variable and intelligent catalyst design based on local chemical environments in sulfur redox reactions[J]. Joule, 2025, 9(5): 101878
33. [33]
  LIANG Q, BAI Y F, YAO K, YE C W, ZHOU X Y, CHEN Y, TANG S C. Targeting acceleration of the rate-determining step in sulfur redox and dendrite-free lithium: Heterointerface and electron structural engineering[J]. ACS Nano, 2025, 19(17): 17028-17039
34. [34]
  LU Y, ZHAO C Z, HUANG J Q, ZHANG Q. The timescale identification decoupling complicated kinetic processes in lithium batteries[J]. Joule, 2022, 6(6): 1172-1198
35. [35]
  HU H M, CHEN H, WANG W S, LI S L, ZHANG Y R, LIU J D, ZHENG Y H. Synthesis of nickel@N-doped carbon nanotube foams for high sulfur-loading lithium-sulfur battery[J]. J. Alloy. Compd., 2022, 922: 166263
36. [36]
  HAN F C, LI F J, CHEN L, HE L Y, JIANG Y N, XU S D, ZHANG D, QI L. Enhance of CoSe₂/C composites modified separator on electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries at high sulfur loading[J]. Chem. J. Chin Universities, 2022, 43(8): 20220163
37. [37]
  CHEN F, CHENG X Q, ZHAO Z X, WANG X M. Hierarchical porous N, P co-doped rGO modified separator to enhance the cycling stability of lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Acta Chim. Sin., 2021, 79(7): 941-947
38. [38]
  WANG J, ZHANG J H, ZHAO W H, HOU YONG, XU R K, LIN Z R, ZHONG X N, PAN X X. MOF-derived Fe₇S₈-Fe₂O₃ heterojunction as separator coating for efficient catalysis of lithium polysulfide in Li-sulfur battery[J]. J. Nanopart. Res., 2024, 26(2): 21
39. [39]
  ZHU Y C, LIU B J, LIANG W J, XU H. Research on multifunctional MOFs isolation membrane for lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Acta Chim. Sin., 2025, 83(8): 861-867
40. [40]
  TANG G L, DENG G S, JIANG Z, XI W, ZHANG Y F, WANG R, GONG Y S, WANG H W, JIN J. Accelerating lithium polysulfide conversion kinetics with a bimetallic phosphide Ni₂P/CoP composite as a multifunctional separator in advanced lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, 13(46): 39775-39784
41. [41]
  DAS A K, YADAV P, VERMA S, MARULASIDDAPPA T, KRISHNAMURTY S, SHELKE M V. Unlocking enhanced redox dynamics: The power of a bifunctional catalytic zinc phosphide interface in full cell and pouch lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2025, 17(5): 7657-7669
42. [42]
  ZHANG Y L, WEI D, LIU Y L, LI S N, LEI W Y, HE X W, QIAO M T. Carbon-based porous bimetallic phosphide in CNT network as a separator for Li-S batteries[J]. ACS Appl. Nano Mater., 2024, 7(7): 7172-7183
1. [1]
  Tao Wang , Qin Dong , Cunpu Li , Zidong Wei . Sulfur Cathode Electrocatalysis in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: A Comprehensive Understanding. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(2): 2303061-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202303061
2. [2]
  Bo YANG , Gongxuan LÜ , Jiantai MA . Nickel phosphide modified phosphorus doped gallium oxide for visible light photocatalytic water splitting to hydrogen. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(4): 736-750. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20230346
3. [3]
  Yingtong Shi , Guotong Xu , Guizeng Liang , Di Lan , Siyuan Zhang , Yanru Wang , Daohao Li , Guanglei Wu . PEG-VN改性PP隔膜用于高稳定性高效率锂硫电池. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(7): 100082-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100082
4. [4]
  Ting YANG , Jia AN , Jinyu ZHANG , Ruonan FAN , Rong YAN , Xiaoxia JING , Panpan CHANG , Wei YAN . Synergistic enhancement of ion migration and sulfur conversion kinetics in lithium-sulfur batteries by CeO₂/g-C₃N₄. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(3): 519-530. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250274
5. [5]
  Yan'e LIU , Shengli JIA , Yifan JIANG , Qinghua ZHAO , Yi LI , Xinshu CHANG . MoO₃/cellulose derived carbon aerogel: Fabrication and performance as cathode for lithium-sulfur battery. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(8): 1565-1573. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250054
6. [6]
  Yutong Liu , Xuemin Jing . Research Progress on the Catalytic Conversion of Methane in the Context of the “Dual Carbon” Goals. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(10): 101-113. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202412018
7. [7]
  Xiaomin Kang , Chuanbao Jiao . Application of Metal-Organic Frameworks in CO₂ Catalytic Conversion: Promoting “Double Carbon” Actions for a Beautiful China. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(2): 208-217. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202503011
8. [8]
  Ruiqing LIU , Wenxiu LIU , Kun XIE , Yiran LIU , Hui CHENG , Xiaoyu WANG , Chenxu TIAN , Xiujing LIN , Xiaomiao FENG . Three-dimensional porous titanium nitride as a highly efficient sulfur host. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(5): 867-876. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20230441
9. [9]
  Xiaoqi LAN , Wei LI , Deyi YANG , Hao WANG , Zheng LIU , Rongting GUO , Qizhi CHEN . Preparation and electrochemical performance of “sandwich structured” MXene Ti₃C₂T_x/hollow ZIF-67 sulfur host composites. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2026, 42(4): 760-772. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20250273
10. [10]
  Zixuan Zhao , Miao Fan . “Carbon” with No “Ester”: A Boundless Journey of CO₂ Transformation. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(7): 213-217. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202409040
11. [11]
  Xiangyu CAO , Jiaying ZHANG , Yun FENG , Linkun SHEN , Xiuling ZHANG , Juanzhi YAN . Synthesis and electrochemical properties of bimetallic-doped porous carbon cathode material. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2025, 41(3): 509-520. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20240270
12. [12]
  Yueguang Chen , Wenqiang Sun . “Carbon” Adventures. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 248-253. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202308074
13. [13]
  Xinyu Xu , Jiale Lu , Bo Su , Jiayi Chen , Xiong Chen , Sibo Wang . Steering charge dynamics and surface reactivity for photocatalytic selective methane oxidation to ethane over Au/Ti-CeO₂. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2025, 41(11): 100153-0. doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100153
14. [14]
  Linlin Wu , Yonghua Zhou , Zhongbei Li , Liu Deng , Younian Liu , Limiao Chen , Jianhan Huang . Digital Education Promoting Applied Chemistry Comprehensive Experiments: A Case Study of Catalytic Oxidation of Hydrogen Chloride and Reaction Kinetics. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(9): 273-278. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202411018
15. [15]
  Yan Li , Xinze Wang , Xue Yao , Shouyun Yu . 基于激发态手性铜催化的烯烃E→Z异构的动力学拆分——推荐一个本科生综合化学实验. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(5): 1-10. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202309053
16. [16]
  Yucai Zhang , Jun Jiang . Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Ethylene. University Chemistry, 2026, 41(2): 190-196. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202503006
17. [17]
  Lijun Yue , Siya Liu , Peng Liu . 不同晶相纳米MnO₂的制备及其对生物乙醇选择性氧化催化性能的测试——一个科研转化的综合化学实验. University Chemistry, 2025, 40(8): 225-232. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202410005
18. [18]
  Yue Wu , Jun Li , Bo Zhang , Yan Yang , Haibo Li , Xian-Xi Zhang . Research on Kinetic and Thermodynamic Transformations of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials for Fluorescent Anti-Counterfeiting Application information: Introducing a Comprehensive Chemistry Experiment. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(6): 390-399. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202403028
19. [19]
  Qing Li , Guangxun Zhang , Yuxia Xu , Yangyang Sun , Huan Pang . P-Regulated Hierarchical Structure Ni₂P Assemblies toward Efficient Electrochemical Urea Oxidation. Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica, 2024, 40(9): 2308045-0. doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB202308045
20. [20]
  Yu ZHANG , Fangfang ZHAO , Cong PAN , Peng WANG , Liangming WEI . Application of double-side modified separator with hollow carbon material in high-performance Li-S battery. Chinese Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2024, 40(6): 1218-1232. doi: 10.11862/CJIC.20230412

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(80)
HTML views(12)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142

Preparation and performance of lithium-sulfur battery of Ni2P/carbon nanotube modified separator

Metrics

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

Preparation and performance of lithium-sulfur battery of Ni₂P/carbon nanotube modified separator