Bifunctional Molybdenum Nitride for Cathode and Anode Modification in High‐Performance Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries

ABSTRACT Lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries are strong candidates for next‐generation energy storage systems, but the cathode suffers from severe shuttle effects caused by soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), while uneven lithium ion (Li + ) deposition leads to uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth at the anode. These drawbacks hinder the further development of Li‐S batteries. Molybdenum nitride (Mo 2 N), due to its strong polarity, can effectively anchor LiPSs. On the anode, the replacement reaction between Mo 2 N and lithium metal produces Mo and Li 3 N. Li 3 N is an excellent ionic conductor and electronic insulator, while Mo metal has lithiophilicity, promoting uniform Li + deposition and achieving dendrite‐free growth during the lithium plating and stripping process. Li‐S batteries using Mo 2 N as the cathode additives and anode coating retained a specific capacity of 500.6 mAh g −1 after 500 cycles at 1 C. This work provides a promising practical application strategy for the development of Li‐S batteries.