Despite the potential to become the next-generation energy storage technology, practical lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are still plagued by the poor cyclability of the lithium-metal anode and sluggish conversion kinetics of S species. In this study, lithium tritelluride (LiTe₃), synthesized with a simple one-step process, is introduced as a novel electrolyte additive for Li–S batteries. LiTe₃ quickly reacts with lithium polysulfides and functions as a redox mediator to greatly improve the cathode kinetics and the utilization of active materials in the cathode. Moreover, the formation of a Li₂TeS₃/Li₂Te-enriched interphase layer on the anode surface enhances ionic transport and stabilizes Li deposition. By regulating the chemistry on both the anode and cathode sides, this additive enables a stable operation of anode-free Li–S batteries with only 0.1 m concentration in conventional ether-based electrolytes. The cell with the LiTe₃ additive retains 71% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles, while the control cell retains only 23%. More importantly, with high utilization of Te, the additive enables significantly better cyclability of anode-free pouch full-cells under lean electrolyte conditions.

中文翻译：

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三碲化锂作为电解质添加剂，用于稳定锂沉积并提高无阳极锂硫电池中的硫利用率

尽管有潜力成为下一代储能技术，但实用的锂硫（Li-S）电池仍然受到锂金属阳极循环性能差和硫物质转化动力学缓慢的困扰。在这项研究中，通过简单的一步法合成的三碲化锂（LiTe _{3 ）被引入作为一种新型的锂硫电池电解质添加剂。}LiTe ₃与多硫化锂快速反应并充当氧化还原介体，从而大大提高正极动力学和正极活性材料的利用率。此外，阳极表面上富Li ₂ TeS ₃ /Li ₂ Te富集界面层的形成增强了离子传输并稳定了Li沉积。通过调节阳极和阴极侧的化学性质，该添加剂能够使无阳极锂硫电池 在传统的醚基电解质中浓度仅为 0.1 m时稳定运行。_{具有LiTe 3}添加剂的电池在100次循环后保留了初始容量的71%，而对照电池仅保留了23%。更重要的是，由于Te的利用率很高，该添加剂使无阳极袋全电池在贫电解质条件下具有显着更好的循环性能。