Abstract: The present work aimed to restrain shuttle effect of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries and improve the cycle performance. Hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs-OH) was used in the positive electrode to absorb polysulfides for cheking the shuttle effect. The diffusion of polysulphides was prevented from absorbing of hydroxyl groups to them. The utilization of active materials was enhanced.The capacity and cycle performance of lithium-sulfur batteries were greatly improved. The morphology and structure of electrodes were observed by TEM, SEM and EDS. The electrochemical test results show that the initial discharge specific capacity of Li-S batteries with the MWCNTs-OH reaches to 1 281 mAh/g and the coulomb efficiency reaches around 96.7%. The discharge capacity remains 882 mAh/g after 10 cycles. The batteries maintained a discharge specific capacity of 794.2 mAh/g, 712.2 mAh/g and 557.3 mAh/g at the current rate of 0.2 C, 0.5 C and 1 C respectively, showing excellent magnification.