Kim, Shin-Yeong Cho, Hyeonwoo Kim, Seong-Jun Ahn, Minchul Jeoun, Yunseo Kim, Kookhan Cho, Sung-Pyo Kim, So Hee Son, Gi Young Yu, Seung-Ho Hong, Byung Hee Sung, Yung-Eun 2025-11-21T03:05:36Z 2025-11-21T03:05:36Z 2025-11-11 2025-12 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/153617 Achieving 3D Li2S morphologies and accelerating polysulfide conversion reactions are critical for realizing high-energy lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Although electrolytes containing high Gutmann donor number components facilitate transition from film-like to 3D Li2S morphologies, challenges arising from polysulfide diffusion and incomplete polysulfide conversion remain unresolved. Catalyst design strategies optimized for high donor electrolyte systems are essential in overcoming these limitations, yet they have garnered limited attention. Here, the influence of catalytic site distribution is systematically investigated as a key variable in catalyst design principles for high donor systems, aiming to achieve high-capacity and stable Li–S battery operation. Two types of carbon model systems are designed and employed in Li–S cells. One type features widespread distribution of catalytic sites, whereas the other incorporates localized catalytic sites. Experimental results demonstrate that spatial confinement of catalytic sites facilitates effective polysulfide redox reactions and supports the formation of 3D Li2S morphologies, even more pronounced in high donor electrolytes, thereby achieving near-theoretical capacity of sulfur (1630 mA h g−1) and ensuring stable cycling. These findings highlight that spatial control of catalytic sites is a key parameter for optimizing next-generation Li–S battery performances, offering novel design principles for advanced battery systems. English Wiley-VCH Verlag Exploring the Effects of the Spatial Distribution of Catalytic Sites on Sulfur Nucleation Behaviors and Electrochemical Performances of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries Article 10.1002/advs.202513026 1 Advanced Science, v.12, no.47 Advanced Science 12 47 Y scie scopus 001579022200001 2-s2.0-105017846216 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Chemistry Science & Technology - Other Topics Materials Science Article WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES GRAPHENE QUANTUM DOTS SURFACE FLUORESCENCE REDUCTION KINETICS GROWTH LI2S graphene quantum dots high donor electrolytes lithium-sulfur batteries nucleation behaviors spatial distributions