biostudies-literatureZhang JMinistry of Education of the People's Republic of ChinaDonghua UniversityNational Natural Science Foundation of China9161-9167https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9078604biostudies-literatureUnknown8(17)Herein, a novel hybrid S@MnO₂@C nanosphere, comprising sulfur nanoparticles encapsulated by a MnO₂@C hollow dual-shell, is reported. Benefiting from a conductive C outer layer, the S@MnO₂@C hybrid nanosphere provided highly efficient pathways for fast electron/ion transfer and sufficient free space for the expansion of the encapsulated sulfur nanoparticles. Moreover, the dual-shell composed of a MnO₂ inner layer and a C outer layer coating on S not only improved the efficacious encapsulation of sulfur, but also significantly suppressed the dissolution of polysulfides during cycling. As a result, the S@MnO₂@C electrode shows high capacity, high coulombic efficiency and excellent cycling stability. The S@MnO₂@C cathode delivered a discharge capacity of 593 mA h g^-1 in the fourth cycle and was able to maintain 573 mA h g^-1 after 100 charge-discharge cycles at 1.0C, corresponding to a capacity retention of 96.6%.RSC advancesImproving the cycling stability of lithium-sulfur batteries by hollow dual-shell coating.PMC907860451741203IRT_16R135147204951672044Xu KHe SAZhang JHu JLiu QZou RfalseImproving the cycling stability of lithium-sulfur batteries by hollow dual-shell coating.Herein, a novel hybrid S@MnO₂@C nanosphere, comprising sulfur nanoparticles encapsulated by a MnO₂@C hollow dual-shell, is reported. Benefiting from a conductive C outer layer, the S@MnO₂@C hybrid nanosphere provided highly efficient pathways for fast electron/ion transfer and sufficient free space for the expansion of the encapsulated sulfur nanoparticles. Moreover, the dual-shell composed of a MnO₂ inner layer and a C outer layer coating on S not only improved the efficacious encapsulation of sulfur, but also significantly suppressed the dissolution of polysulfides during cycling. As a result, the S@MnO₂@C electrode shows high capacity, high coulombic efficiency and excellent cycling stability. The S@MnO₂@C cathode delivered a discharge capacity of 593 mA h g^-1 in the fourth cycle and was able to maintain 573 mA h g^-1 after 100 charge-discharge cycles at 1.0C, corresponding to a capacity retention of 96.6%.2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Feb2025-04-04T23:17:34.737Z2025-02-19T03:24:28.969ZS-EPMC90786043554186110.1039/c7ra13235b