Sun Kai, Fu Yujun, Sekine Taishu, Mabuchi Haruna, Hossain Sakiat, Zhang Qiang, Liu Dequan, Das Saikat, He Deyan, Negishi Yuichi
School of Materials and Energy, and LONGi, Institute of Future Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8601, Japan.
Small. 2024 Jan;20(2):e2304210. doi: 10.1002/smll.202304210. Epub 2023 Aug 25.
Due to their high designability, unique geometric and electronic structures, and surface coordination chemistry, atomically precise metal nanoclusters are an emerging class of functional nanomaterials at the forefront of materials research. However, the current research on metal nanoclusters is mainly fundamental, and their practical applications are still uncharted. The surface binding properties and redox activity of Au Pt(PET) (PET: phenylethanethiolate, SCH CH Ph) nanoclusters are herein harnessed as an high-efficiency electrocatalyst for the anchoring and rapid conversion of lithium polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Au Pt(PET) @G composites are prepared by using the large specific surface area, high porosity, and conductive network of graphene (G) for the construction of battery separator that can inhibit polysulfide shuttle and accelerate electrochemical kinetics. Resultantly, the LSB using a Au Pt(PET) @G-based separator presents a high reversible specific capacity of 1535.4 mA h g for the first cycle at 0.2 A g and a rate capability of 887 mA h g at 5 A g . After 1000 cycles at 5 A g , the capacity is 558.5 mA h g . This study is a significant step toward the application of metal nanoclusters as optimal electrocatalysts for LSBs and other sustainable energy storage systems.
由于其高度的可设计性、独特的几何和电子结构以及表面配位化学，原子精确的金属纳米团簇是材料研究前沿的一类新兴功能纳米材料。然而，目前对金属纳米团簇的研究主要是基础性的，其实际应用仍未被探索。本文利用Au Pt(PET)（PET：苯乙硫醇盐，SCH₂CH₂Ph）纳米团簇的表面结合特性和氧化还原活性，将其作为一种高效电催化剂，用于锂硫电池（LSB）中多硫化锂的锚定和快速转化。通过利用石墨烯（G）的大比表面积、高孔隙率和导电网络来制备Au Pt(PET)@G复合材料，以构建能够抑制多硫化物穿梭并加速电化学动力学的电池隔膜。结果，使用基于Au Pt(PET)@G隔膜的LSB在0.2 A g下首次循环时呈现出1535.4 mA h g的高可逆比容量，在5 A g下的倍率性能为887 mA h g。在5 A g下进行1000次循环后，容量为558.5 mA h g。这项研究朝着将金属纳米团簇应用于LSB和其他可持续储能系统的最佳电催化剂迈出了重要一步。
