Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are poised to reshape energy storage with their ultra-high theoretical capacity (1 675 mAh g -1 ) and energy density (2 800 Wh kg -1 ). Yet, the notorious “polysulfide shuttle” continues to erode cycle life and slash sulfur utilization. Now, researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-Ferrous Metals at Lanzhou University, led by Professor Fen Ran, unveil a precision separator coating that turns the old problem into a new advantage. Their work, reported in Nano-Micro Letters , delivers a sub-nanometer ionic gate that not only blocks polysulfides but also re-uses them.
Why This MOF Coating Matters
Engineering the Functional Separator
Characterizing the Nano-Gate
Future Outlook
With a single, elegantly engineered layer, the Lanzhou team transforms the separator from passive barrier to active polysulfide gatekeeper—ushering lithium–sulfur batteries toward real-world, long-lifetime deployment.
Nano-Micro Letters
Experimental study
Designing Amino Functionalized Titanium-Organic Framework on Separators Toward Sieving and Redistribution of Polysulfides in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
26-May-2025