• Metal oxide/carbon composites enhance chemical adsorption of lithium polysulfides, mitigating the shuttle effect in Li-S batteries.
• Synthesis methods (ex-situ and in-situ) and dimensional control (1D to 3D) of TMO/CM composites are critical for performance.
• Structural modulation strategies such as heterostructure design, vacancy engineering, and facet manipulation improve catalytic activity and cycling stability.
• TMO/CM composites offer a promising pathway to overcome the insulating nature of sulfur and Li2S, boosting sulfur utilization and battery lifespan.