Conductive polymer/sulfur composite materials were prepared by heating the mixture of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and sublimed sulfur. During the heating process, PAN was dehydrogenated by sulfur, forming a conductive main chain similar to polyacetylene. At the same time, the high‐polarity functional group –CN cyclized at the melt state, forming a thermally stable heterocyclic compound in which sulfur was embedded. The nanodispersed composites showed excellent electrochemical properties. Tested as cathode material in a non‐aqueous lithium cell based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) gel electrolyte at room temperature, the composite exhibited a specific capacity up to 850 mA h g–1 in the initial cycle. Its specific capacity remained above 600 mA h g–1 after 50 cycles, about five times that of LiCoO2, and recovered partly after replacement of the anode with a fresh lithium sheet. The utilization of the electrochemically active sulfur was about 90 % assuming a complete reaction to the product, Li2S.

No abstract

Polyacrylonitrile/graphene (PAN/GNS) composites have been synthesized via an in situ polymerization method for the first time, which serve as a precursor to prepare a cathode material for high-rate rechargeable Li-S batteries. It is observed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that the PAN nanoparticles, less than 100 nm in size, are anchored on the surface of the GNS and this unique structure is maintained in the sulfur composite cathode material. The electrochemical properties of the pyrolyzed PAN-S/GNS (pPAN-S/GNS) composite cathode have been evaluated by cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic discharge-charge cycling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the pPAN-S/GNS nanocomposite, with a GNS content of ca. 4 wt.%, exhibits a reversible capacity of ca. 1500 mA hg À1 sulfur or 700 mA hg À1 composite in the first cycle, corresponding to a sulfur utilization of ca. 90%. The capacity retention is relatively stable at 0.1 C. Even up to 6 C, a competitive capacity of ca. 800 mA hg À1 sulfur is obtained. The superior performance of pPAN-S/GNS is attributed to the introduction of the GNS and the even composite structure. The GNS in the composite materials works as a three-dimensional (3-D) nano current collector, which could act not only as an electronically conductive matrix, but also as a framework to improve the electrochemical performance.

A lotus‐root‐like three‐dimensional mesoporous silicon is successfully prepared by a magnesiothermic reduction method using SBA‐15 silica as both template and silicon precursor. After carbon coating via a chemical vapor deposition process, this anode material shows high reversible capacity of ∼1900 mAh g−1 and excellent rate performance even up to 15C.

Hierarchical porous TiO(2)-B with thin nanosheets is successfully synthesized. TiO(2)-B polymorph ensures fast insertion of Li-ion due to its pseudocapacitive mechanism. The thin nanosheet walls with porous structure allow exposure to electrolytes for facile ionic transport and interfacial reaction. The joint advantages endow this material with high reversible capacity, excellent cycling performance, and superior rate capability.

Zinc metal is an attractive anode material for next‐generation batteries. However, dendrite growth and limited Coulombic efficiency (CE) during cycling are the major roadblocks towards the widespread commercialization of batteries employing Zn anodes. In this work we report the novel adoption of triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a solvent and co‐solvent with aqueous electrolytes to obtain a highly stable and dendrite‐free Zn anode. Stable Zn plating/stripping for over 3000 h was obtained, accompanied by a CE of 99.68 %. SEM images of the Zn anodes revealed highly porous interconnected dendrite‐free Zn deposits. The electrolyte displayed good compatibility with both Zn anodes and potassium copper hexacyanoferrate (KCuHCf) cathodes for Zn ion batteries (ZIBs). The full cell showed a long cycling stability and high rate capability. The present work is a contribution towards cost‐effective and safe battery systems.

No abstract

approaching 92.2%. The discharge capacity remains at 1456 mA h g (sulfur)− 1 after 50 cycles, which is much higher than that of the cathode with unmodifi ed β β -CD as binder. Combined with its low cost and environmental benignity, C-β β -CD is a promising binder for sulfur cathodes in rechargeable lithium batteries with high electrochemical performance.