journal article·2025-03Open access

Band Structure and Spin‐State‐Induced Electronic Configuration Regulation for Efficient Sulfur Redox Reaction

Fei Zhou, Zhiqi Gong, Renheng Wang, Mengran Guo, Rong Zeng, Yun Li, Zhe Xiao, Long Qie, Jianwen Liu

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 35· Issue 12

Abstract

Abstract Deciphering the relationship between electron configuration and catalytic activity is crucial for designing electrocatalysts that improve the efficient conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). In this study, amorphous ZnAl 2 O 4 (referred to as A‐ZnAl 2 O 4 ) is designed with a high oxygen vacancy concentration. Experimental and theoretical analysis confirm that the Zn tetrahedral sites are sufficiently exposed, and the catalytic activity is significantly enhanced due to a narrow bandgap and a high spin state achieved through low coordination numbers and a disordered structure. Both the enhancement in electron transfer efficiency and reduction in reaction energy barriers accelerate the multi‐phase transformation of LiPSs, resulting in impressive electrochemical performance with a capacity retention rate of 93.9% after 800 cycles at a high current density of 4 C. And the pouch battery with high sulfur loading of 4.5 mg cm −2 and lean electrolyte at 8 µL mg −1 exhibits high discharge capacity and stable cycling. This research deciphers the amorphization on modulating electronic structures to achieve enhanced electrocatalytic activity, providing a general strategy for designing unique atomic‐scale band structures and spin states in multifunctional electrocatalysts.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Advanced battery technologies research · Perovskite Materials and Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Synthesis and Application of Organic Functional Molecules & College of New Energy and Electrical Engineering Hubei University Wuhan 430062 P. R. China

Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration (Shenzhen University) College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 P. R. China

College State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program

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