To fulfill the increasing energy demand, lithium-sulfur batteries (LIBs) are considered one of the most promising energy storage devices for the next generation because of their high specific capacity (1675 mAh g − 1) and high energy density (2600 Wh kg − 1). However, the low conductivity of electrode materials, large volume expansion rate and shuttle effect, rapid decline of battery capacity and low cycle lifetime have restricted the commercialization of LIBs. In this paper, a type of silver-coated Co@NC porous carbon (ZIF-67 derivatives) is used as the principal material of the lithium-sulfur battery cathode (denoted Ag–Co@NC). These composites not only confine the active materials to the ordered pore structure composites but also inhibit the free migration of polysulfide and improve the redox reaction. Furthermore, uniformly modified silver nanoparticles are beneficial for enhancing the conductivity of Li2S, thus exhibiting good rate performance and capacity and effectively improving the electrochemical performance of the material. In this work, silver nanoparticles were coated on Co@NC material by a simple chemical deposition method. The highly conductive silver coating provides an efficient electron transport path for Co@NC and improves the electrical conductivity of the material. The ZIF-67-derived porous carbon material is rich in N and Co sites, reducing sulfur loss and mitigating the shuttle effect of polysulfides. Electrochemical testing shows that the Ag-Co@NC/S material exhibits good rate and cycle stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]