Nonstoichiometric Scandium Oxide Hybridized in N-Doped Porous Graphitic Carbon Promotes the Rate Capability of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Nonstoichiometric compounds are widely used in contemporary energy technologies due to their high surface polarity, tailored electronic structure, high electrical conductivity, and other enhanced properties. However, the preparation of such nonstoichiometric compounds can be complicated and, in some cases, uncontrollable and dangerous. Here, we report a “one-pot” strategy for synthesizing N-doped porous graphitic carbon that is hybridized with nonstoichiometric scandium oxide (denoted as ScO 0.95 @N-PGC) and show that the composite significantly promotes sulfur cathode kinetics in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. The synthesis of the ScO 0.95 @N-PGC composite entails heating a porous dry gel that consists of a C source (glucose), a N source (dicyandiamide), and a Sc source (Sc(NO 3 ) 3 ·H 2 O). Thermally decomposing the dicyandiamide creates a highly reductive atmosphere that simultaneously affords the hypoxic state of the ScO 0.95 and dopes the carbon matrix with nitrogen. Density functional theory reveals the presence of oxygen vacancies that enable the ScO 0.95 crystals to function as excellent electrical conductors, exhibit enhanced adsorption toward polysulfides, and accelerate the cathode reactions by lowering the corresponding activation energies. Moreover, Li–S cells prepared from the ScO 0.95 @N-PGC composite display a high specific capacity (1046 mA h g –1 at 0.5 C), an outstanding cycling stability (641 mA h g –1 after 1000 charge–discharge cycles at 0.5 C, a capacity decay of 0.038% per cycle), and a particularly outstanding rate capability (438 mA h g –1 at 8 C). The methodology described establishes a sustainable approach for synthesizing nonstoichiometric compounds while broadening their potential utility in a broad range of energy technologies.