Three-dimensional carbon framework as high-proportion sulfur host for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2020.03.001

Abstract

Abstract:

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are anticipated as one of the most promising candidates for the high-energy-density storage systems. However, the insulating nature and shuttling effect of sulfur severely limits their performance. The incorporation of sulfur with carbon materials has been deemed as one of the most powerful strategies to improve electrical conductivity and suppress soluble polysulfide shuttling. Herein, a novel three-dimensional carbon framework (3DCF) is prepared and employed as a sulfur host (3DCF@S) for Li-S batteries. The 3DCF not only supplies abundant paths for lithium ion diffusion and electron transport, but also strengthens polysulfide immobilization during the lithium/sulfur conversion reactions. As a result, the 3DCF@S with high sulfur content of 90% exhibits a high capacity of 1366 mA h/g at 0.1 C and excellent cycling stability with a satisfactory capacity of 601 mA h/g after 600 cycles at 2.0 C. The resultant Li-S button battery based 3DCF@S electrode could power a light-emitting diode for 2 h. The acquired 3DCF@S is expected to be widely used in Li-S batteries and this study will promote developments of carbon/sulfur composites for Li-S batteries.

Key words: 3D carbon framework, High sulfur proportion, Lithium-sulfur battery, High capacity, Outstanding cycling stability

Xianbin Liu, Zechen Xiao, Changgan Lai, Shuai Zou, Ming Zhang, Kaixi Liu, Yanhong Yin, Tongxiang Liang, Ziping Wu. Three-dimensional carbon framework as high-proportion sulfur host for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2020, 48: 84-91.

Figures/Tables 9

Fig. 1. SEM images of 3DCF prepared at various temperatures: (a) 800 °C; (b) 900 °C; (c) 1000 °C.

Fig. 2. (a) XRD patterns; (b) Raman spectra, (c) adsorption-desorption curves and (d) pore-size distribution of 3DCF prepared at different temperature.

Fig. 3. (a) Synthetic process of 3DCF@S composites via sulfur impregnation technology; (b, c) SEM images of 3DCF; (d) SEM image of 3DCF@S; (e, f) element mapping of 3DCF@S; (g) TEM image of 3DCF@S.

Fig. 4. (a, b, c) SEM images of 3DCF@S with different sulfur proportions.

Fig. 5. (a) TG curves, (b) XRD patterns of 3DCF@S with different sulfur proportions; (c) Raman and (d) XPS spectra of 3DCF and 3DCF@S with a high sulfur proportion; high-resolution spectra of (e) C 1s and (f) S 2p.

Fig. 6. (a, b, c) CV and (d, e, f) voltage profiles of 3DCF@S with different sulfur proportions.

Fig. 7. (a) Rate performance, (b) EIS and (c) cycling performance of 3DCF@S with different sulfur proportions; (d) evolution of the galvanostatic charge/discharge curves at 0.5 C over 200 cycles of 3DCF@S-3; (e) charge/discharge specific capacity and (f) EIS at high rate of 2 C for 600 cycles based on 3DCF@S-3.

Table 1 Performance comparison between 3DPCF@S and other carbon/sulfur materials reported in recent publications.

Materials	Sulfur content	Capacity		Cyclability
		Rate (C)	Capacity (mAh/g)	Rate (C)	Cycling No.	Capacity (mAh/g)
S/PCNS [40]	44%	-	1600	-	50	634
SPCS-S [41]	70%	0.1	1189.5	0.2	100	778.6
GSC [42]	70%	0.1	943	0.1	200	290
GCS [29]	70	0.3	1008	1.0	450	657
3DCNF [43]	63	0.1	1266	0.5	500	607
rGO/S [44]	84%	0.2	1419	0.2	100	733
NPCN/S [45]	76.8	-	-	2.0	300	383
aCNT/S [46]	75	0.5	1152	0.5	500	620
3DFC@S-3	90%	0.1	1366	2.0	600	601

Fig. 8. Photographs of LED lighted by Li-S button battery based 3DCF@S with high sulfur proportion of 90% at different working time.

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