Single-Atom Cobalt Catalyst with Boron and Nitrogen Codoped Graphene (Co-BN-G) Enables Adsorption and Catalytic Conversion of Polysulfides for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

In lithium–sulfur batteries, the shuttling effect and sluggish redox conversion of soluble polysulfides lead to unsatisfactory sulfur utilization and capacity retention. In this research, we used a one-pot hydrothermal method to prepare graphene with single-atom Co and B, N codoped as a sulfur host in Li–S batteries, thereby suppressing the shuttling effect and facilitating the redox conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). A series of characterizations demonstrated that dual doping of B and N introduces more lattice defects and structural deformations in graphene oxide, thus enhancing its adsorption of polysulfides. Simultaneously, single-atom cobalt can also polarize adsorption and accelerate the conversion reaction of LiPSs. The Li–S cell with the as-prepared Co-BN-G sulfur host materials exhibited an excellent capacity of 1034 mAh g –1 at 0.5 C and satisfactory cycle performance (retention of 69% over 500 cycles). Even at a rate of 2 C, a discharge capacity of 851 mAh g –1 is achieved. The results show that the Co-BN-G configuration efficiently captures LiPSs and enhances their rate conversion kinetics in redox reactions, demonstrating significant practical potential.