Machine Learning Derived Blueprint for Rational Design of the Effective Single-Atom Cathode Catalyst of the Lithium–Sulfur Battery
Zan Lian, Min Yang, Faheem Jan, Bo Li
Abstract
The "shuttle effect" and sluggish kinetics at cathode significantly hinder the further improvements of the lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, a candidate of next generation energy storage technology. Herein, machine learning based on high-throughput density functional theory calculations is employed to establish the pattern of polysulfides adsorption and screen the supported single-atom catalyst (SAC). The adsorptions are classified as two categories which successfully distinguish S-S bond breaking from the others. Moreover, a general trend of polysulfides adsorption was established regarding of both kind of metal and the nitrogen configurations on support. The regression model has a mean absolute error of 0.14 eV which exhibited a faithful predictive ability. Based on adsorption energy of soluble polysulfides and overpotential, the most promising SAC was proposed, and a volcano curve was found. In the end, a reactivity map is supplied to guide SAC design of the Li-S battery.