P-doped NiSe2 nanorods grown on activated carbon cloths for high-loading lithium-sulfur batteries

•P-doping in NiSe2 promotes its electron transfers and interactions with polysulfides.•P-NiSe2 exhibits improved chemical adsorptions and catalysis of polysulfide conversions.•P-NiSe2 enables 3D growth of Li2S2/Li2S to alleviate cathode passivation.•High specific capacities and stable cycling are achieved at sulfur loadings up to 9.9 mg cm-2.