Streamline Sulfur Redox Reactions to Achieve Efficient Room-Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Batteries

It is vital to dynamically regulate S activity to achieve efficient and stable room-temperature sodium–sulfur (RT/Na−S) batteries. Herein, we report using cobalt sulfide as an electron reservoir to enhance the activity of sulfur cathodes, and simultaneously combining with cobalt single atoms as double-end binding sites for a stable S conversion process. The rationally constructed CoS₂ electron reservoir enables the straight reduction of S to short-chain sodium polysulfides (Na₂S₄) via a streamlined redox path through electron transfer. Meanwhile, cobalt single atoms synergistically work with the electron reservoir to reinforce the streamlined redox path, which immobilize in situ formed long-chain products and catalyze their conversion, thus realizing high S utilization and sustainable cycling stability. The as-developed sulfur cathodes exhibit a superior rate performance of 443 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹ with a high cycling capacity retention of 80 % after 5000 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹.