Aqueous zinc–sulfur batteries (AZSBs) represent a promising generation technique for large-scale storage due to their high theoretical size (1675 mAh g⁻ 1 ), safety, and environment friendly nature, but slow kinetics and poor reversibility of the solid-solid conversion between sulfur and ZnS leads to high polarization and slow capacity decays.
In a study published in Nano Research (DOI: 10.26599/NR.2026.94908560) in July, a research team led by Dewei Wang from North Minzu University, China, reports the designing sulfur cathodes with asymmetric Zn-N 4 -S coordination sites. By introducing sulfur atoms into the second coordination shell of conventional Zn-N 4 sites, the team created a polarized and catalytically active site that significantly boosts the adsorption and conversion of sulfur species.
“We developed a one-step pyrolysis method using ZIF-8 as a precursor and potassium thiosulfate (K₂S₂O₃) as both an activating agent and sulfur source,” said Dr. Wang. “This approach yields a porous carbon with atomically dispersed Zn atoms, where sulfur is incorporated into the second coordination sphere through N–S bonds, breaking the symmetry of the Zn-N 4 configuration.”
The resulting material, denoted Zn SAs/NSC-800, possesses a specific surface area of 2135.5 m 2 g⁻ 1 and a hierarchical pore structure that facilitates sulfur confinement and buffers volume changes during cycling. When employed as a sulfur cathode, it delivers an outstanding discharge capacity of 1610.6 mAh g⁻ 1 at 0.1 A g⁻ 1 , which approaching the theoretical limit of sulfur, and an ultralow polarization voltage of only 0.276 V. Even at a high current density of 5 A g⁻ 1 , a reversible capacity of 1229.1 mAh g⁻ 1 is maintained. Long-term cycling tests show a capacity retention of 78% after 1000 cycles at 2 A g⁻ 1 , demonstrating excellent stability.
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the asymmetric Zn-N 4 -S sites enhance the adsorption energy of ZnS to −2.08 eV and promote electron transfer, thereby lowering the energy barrier for the solid-solid conversion. This electronic modulation is key to the improved kinetics and reversibility observed experimentally.
The team also assembled a pouch cell with a high sulfur loading of 6.1 mg cm⁻ 2 , which powered LED panels even under mechanical bending and cutting, showcasing the material’s potential for flexible and safe energy storage devices.
“Our work demonstrates that tailoring the coordination microenvironment of single-atom catalysts can unlock new possibilities for high-performance aqueous batteries,” Dr. Wang added. “The asymmetric Zn-N 4 -S design not only boosts catalytic activity but also provides a blueprint for developing advanced sulfur hosts for next-generation energy storage systems.”
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 22365001) and the Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia (Grant No. 2024AAC03150).
D OI Link:
https://doi.org/10.26599/NR.2026.94908560
About Nano Research
Nano Research is a peer-reviewed, open access, international and interdisciplinary research journal, sponsored by Tsinghua University and the Chinese Chemical Society, published by Tsinghua University Press on the platform SciOpen. It publishes original high-quality research and significant review articles on all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, ranging from basic aspects of the science of nanoscale materials to practical applications of such materials. After 18 years of development, it has become one of the most influential academic journals in the nano field. Nano Research has published more than 1,000 papers every year from 2022, with its cumulative count surpassing 8,000 articles. In 2025 InCites Journal Citation Reports, its 2025 IF is 9.4 (8.3, 5 years), and it continues to be the Q1 area among the four subject classifications. Nano Research Award, established by Nano Research together with TUP and Springer Nature in 2013, and Nano Research Young Innovators (NR45) Awards, established by Nano Research in 2018, have become international academic awards with global influence.
Nano Research
Asymmetric Zn-N₄-S configuration enables ultralow polarization in aqueous zinc–sulfur batteries
5-Jun-2026