Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are widely acknowledged as the most promising energy storage systems for the future, primarily due to their remarkably high theoretical energy density. Nonetheless, the advancement of LSBs encounters various hurdles, including the substantial expansion of the cathode material, inadequate conductivity of the active material S and discharge product LiS, the evident shuttle effect of lithium polysulfide (LiPS), and the sluggish sulfur conversion kinetics. These challenges become particularly evident when handling high sulfur loading. The issue of uneven Li dendrite growth at the anode significantly affects the long-term functionality and safety of batteries. Consequently, there is a pressing requirement for battery designs that effectively tackle these challenges. Metal phosphide, owing to its remarkable catalytic activity and distinctive physicochemical properties, has been extensively investigated and is anticipated to serve as a bifunctional material in LSBs systems. By manipulating the composition of cations, it is possible to obtain monometallic phosphide, bimetallic phosphide, and trimetallic phosphide through tailored design approaches. It has been found that metal phosphide catalysts can effectively adsorb soluble LiPS and catalyze its rapid conversion. Moreover, the synthesis of composite materials by incorporating metal phosphides with other compounds results in a synergistic effect that significantly improves catalytic performance. This study offers a thorough overview of the diverse applications of metal phosphides in enhancing cathode sulfur support materials, modifying separators, and protecting lithium anodes. The significance of metal phosphides in facilitating the anchoring of lithium polysulfides, improving electrochemical reaction rates, facilitating the nucleation and dissolution of lithium sulfide, enhancing electron and ion transport, and promoting uniform lithium deposition was underscored. Additionally, the obstacles and potential opportunities for metal phosphides in future lithium-sulfur batteries are examined, along with their practical utility.

中文翻译：

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金属磷化物加速多硫化物氧化还原调控锂沉积的最新进展及策略

锂硫电池（LSB）被广泛认为是未来最有前途的储能系统，这主要是由于其理论能量密度非常高。尽管如此，LSB的发展遇到了各种障碍，包括正极材料的大幅膨胀、活性材料S和放电产物LiS的导电性不足、多硫化锂（LiPS）明显的穿梭效应以及缓慢的硫转化动力学。在处理高硫含量时，这些挑战变得尤其明显。阳极锂枝晶生长不均匀的问题严重影响电池的长期功能和安全性。因此，迫切需要有效应对这些挑战的电池设计。金属磷化物由于其显着的催化活性和独特的物理化学性质，已被广泛研究，并有望作为LSB系统中的双功能材料。通过控制阳离子的组成，可以通过定制设计方法获得单金属磷化物、双金属磷化物和三金属磷化物。研究发现金属磷化物催化剂可以有效吸附可溶性LiPS并催化其快速转化。此外，通过将金属磷化物与其他化合物结合合成复合材料会产生协同效应，显着提高催化性能。这项研究全面概述了金属磷化物在增强阴极硫支撑材料、改性隔膜和保护锂阳极方面的多种应用。强调了金属磷化物在促进多硫化锂的锚定、提高电化学反应速率、促进硫化锂的成核和溶解、增强电子和离子传输以及促进均匀锂沉积方面的重要性。此外，还研究了金属磷化物在未来锂硫电池中的障碍和潜在机遇及其实际用途。