Fig. 4: Pathway selectivity and cycling stability mechanism.

a In-situ synchrotron-based XRD patterns of S@Mn1-PNC. b Ex-situ X-ray absorption spectra of S for S@Mn1-PNC during the initial cycle. c and (d) 3D reconstructed images of TOF-SIMS depth profiles of Na and S after 10 cycles. Scale bar 10 µm. e Normalized depth profiles of secondary ion fragments obtained from the S@Mn1-PNC electrode after 50 cycles. f k3-weighted FT-EXAFS curves of S@Mn1-PNC in R-space during the initial discharge and charge processes. WT plots of the Mn k-edge of S@Mn1-PNC cathode during (g) discharge and (h) charge processes.