Super-aligned films of sub-1 nm Bi2O3-polyoxometalate nanowires as interlayers in lithium-sulfur batteries

Sub-1 nm nanowires (SNWs) can not only be processed like polymers due to their polymer-analogue properties but also show multifunctions owing well-manipulated compositions and structures. Rationally designed engineered multicomponent heterostructure SNWs further enhance multifunction performance while it is very challenging achieve such at sub-nanoscale. Herein, we synthesized Bi2O3-polyoxometalate (PMB SNWs), fabricated super-aligned PMB films (S-PMB films), which serve as interlayers efficiently suppress lithium polysulfide (LPS) shuttling, intrinsically promote the redox kinetics of LPS conversion substantially protect Li anode. The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery with S-PMB film interlayer showcases an ultralow capacity decay rate 0.013% per cycle over 850 cycles. This study demonstrates potential improve Li-S batteries.