Single-Atom Chromium-Embedded N-Doped Graphene as a Multifunctional Separator Coating for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Authors

  • Frederik Bettels
  • Donna Rashidi
  • Zhihua Lin
  • Leon Schenk
  • Taoran Li
  • Haiwei Wu
  • Irmgard Frank
  • Ebrahim Nadimi
  • Yuping Liu
  • Chaofeng Zhang
  • Fei Ding
  • Lin Zhang

External Research Organisations

  • K.N. Toosi University of Technology (KNTU)
  • Shaanxi University of Science and Technology
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
  • Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology
  • Anhui University
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Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202500200
JournalBatteries and Supercaps
Volume8
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2025

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries offer a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density, large capacity, cost advantages, and environmental benefits. However, their commercialization is impeded by challenges like the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle effect, necessitating advanced sulfur host materials and separator coatings for the effective trapping of LiPSs and enhancing the ion transfer. In this research, single-atom chromium-incorporated nitrogen-doped graphene (Cr@NG) is introduced as a novel separator coating, synthesized by an NaCl soft-template method. This material, as an efficient and economic alternative to other existing single-atom catalysts-based materials, combines high conductivity and catalytic activity, effectively suppressing the shuttle effect and enhancing sulfur conversion. First-principles calculations and electrochemical studies further demonstrate that Cr@NG significantly improves adsorption capabilities, capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. The incorporation of chromium offers substantial benefits in electron transport and catalytic efficiency, establishing Cr@NG as a promising multifunctional separator coating for high-performance Li–S batteries.

Keywords

    chromium, electrocatalysts, Li–S batteries, separator coatings, single-atom catalysts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Sustainable Development Goals

Cite this

Single-Atom Chromium-Embedded N-Doped Graphene as a Multifunctional Separator Coating for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries. / Bettels, Frederik; Rashidi, Donna; Lin, Zhihua et al.
In: Batteries and Supercaps, Vol. 8, No. 12, e202500200, 15.12.2025.

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer review

Bettels, F, Rashidi, D, Lin, Z, Schenk, L, Li, T, Wu, H, Frank, I, Nadimi, E, Liu, Y, Zhang, C, Ding, F & Zhang, L 2025, 'Single-Atom Chromium-Embedded N-Doped Graphene as a Multifunctional Separator Coating for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries', Batteries and Supercaps, vol. 8, no. 12, e202500200. https://doi.org/10.1002/batt.202500200
Bettels, F., Rashidi, D., Lin, Z., Schenk, L., Li, T., Wu, H., Frank, I., Nadimi, E., Liu, Y., Zhang, C., Ding, F., & Zhang, L. (2025). Single-Atom Chromium-Embedded N-Doped Graphene as a Multifunctional Separator Coating for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries. Batteries and Supercaps, 8(12), Article e202500200. https://doi.org/10.1002/batt.202500200
Bettels F, Rashidi D, Lin Z, Schenk L, Li T, Wu H et al. Single-Atom Chromium-Embedded N-Doped Graphene as a Multifunctional Separator Coating for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries. Batteries and Supercaps. 2025 Dec 15;8(12):e202500200. doi: 10.1002/batt.202500200
Bettels, Frederik ; Rashidi, Donna ; Lin, Zhihua et al. / Single-Atom Chromium-Embedded N-Doped Graphene as a Multifunctional Separator Coating for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries. In: Batteries and Supercaps. 2025 ; Vol. 8, No. 12.
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abstract = "Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries offer a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density, large capacity, cost advantages, and environmental benefits. However, their commercialization is impeded by challenges like the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle effect, necessitating advanced sulfur host materials and separator coatings for the effective trapping of LiPSs and enhancing the ion transfer. In this research, single-atom chromium-incorporated nitrogen-doped graphene (Cr@NG) is introduced as a novel separator coating, synthesized by an NaCl soft-template method. This material, as an efficient and economic alternative to other existing single-atom catalysts-based materials, combines high conductivity and catalytic activity, effectively suppressing the shuttle effect and enhancing sulfur conversion. First-principles calculations and electrochemical studies further demonstrate that Cr@NG significantly improves adsorption capabilities, capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. The incorporation of chromium offers substantial benefits in electron transport and catalytic efficiency, establishing Cr@NG as a promising multifunctional separator coating for high-performance Li–S batteries.",
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AU - Bettels, Frederik

AU - Rashidi, Donna

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AU - Schenk, Leon

AU - Li, Taoran

AU - Wu, Haiwei

AU - Frank, Irmgard

AU - Nadimi, Ebrahim

AU - Liu, Yuping

AU - Zhang, Chaofeng

AU - Ding, Fei

AU - Zhang, Lin

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Batteries & Supercaps published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

PY - 2025/12/15

Y1 - 2025/12/15

N2 - Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries offer a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density, large capacity, cost advantages, and environmental benefits. However, their commercialization is impeded by challenges like the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle effect, necessitating advanced sulfur host materials and separator coatings for the effective trapping of LiPSs and enhancing the ion transfer. In this research, single-atom chromium-incorporated nitrogen-doped graphene (Cr@NG) is introduced as a novel separator coating, synthesized by an NaCl soft-template method. This material, as an efficient and economic alternative to other existing single-atom catalysts-based materials, combines high conductivity and catalytic activity, effectively suppressing the shuttle effect and enhancing sulfur conversion. First-principles calculations and electrochemical studies further demonstrate that Cr@NG significantly improves adsorption capabilities, capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. The incorporation of chromium offers substantial benefits in electron transport and catalytic efficiency, establishing Cr@NG as a promising multifunctional separator coating for high-performance Li–S batteries.

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