Carbon/Sulfur Aerogel with Adequate Mesoporous Channels as Robust Polysulfide Confinement Matrix for Highly Stable Lithium–Sulfur Battery

Abstract

The ability to restrict the shuttle of lithium polysulfide (LiPS n ) and improve the utilization efficiency of sulfur represents an important endeavor toward practical application of lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries. Herein, we report the crafting of a robust 3D graphene-wrapped, nitrogen-doped, highly mesoporous carbon/sulfur (G-NHMC/S) hierarchical aerogel as an effective polysulfide confinement matrix for a highly stable Li−S battery. Rich polar sites of NHMC firmly anchor LiPS n on the matrix surface. Porous NHMC provides ample space for accommodating sulfur and cushioning its volume expansion. Moreover, graphene wrapped on NHMC/S not only physically hinders the LiPS n shuttle but also interconnects the isolated NHMC/S, thus increasing electron transfer rate. Taken together, triple confinement of G-NHMC/S aerogel synergistically retains the soluble LiPS n and displays a specific capacity of 1322 mAh g −1 and 1000-cycle life. As such, rationally designed 3D carbon/sulfur aerogel affords a unique platform to impart high energy density and stable electrodes for energy storage devices.

Single‐Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolytes for Solid‐State Lithium–Metal Batteries: Design, Performance, and Challenges

“…[ 11–15 ] Among various solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs), many efforts have been devoted to solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), which possess numerous attractive properties, including high flexibility, processability, and shape versatility, as well as low density. [ 16–26 ] These unique properties may enable them to meet large‐scale electronic devices’ requirements. Comparing with well‐studied lithium salt doped polymers, typically poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), pioneered by Wright and co‐workers in 1973, single‐ion conducting polymer electrolytes (SICPEs), ideally defined as polymer electrolytes with cationic transference number close to unity ( t Li + ≈ 1), are a more advantageous system.…”

Implanting Cobalt Atom Clusters within Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Network as Highly Stable Cathode for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…Recently, it was found that building a porous conductive network structure containing a sulfur cathode is a promising strategy to mitigate the volume change during the charge–discharge process and improve the electrical conductivity. [ 4 ] For instance, mesoporous carbon was developed to contain a sulfur cathode, and the mesoporous materials could not only improve the contact between insulating sulfur or lithium sulfide and the carbon network and facilitate the ion/electron transfer but also reduce the volume change and maintain good structural durability to achieve long‐term cycling stability. [ 5 ] A variety of mesoporous carbons have been developed as scaffolds to stabilize the sulfur cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries, such as bimodal mesoporous carbon, [ 6 ] mesoporous carbon spheres, [ 7 ] and bioderived carbonaceous mesoporous carbons.…”

Sulfur in Amorphous Silica for an Advanced Room‐Temperature Sodium–Sulfur Battery

“…Graphite-coated N-doped porous carbon is proven to have abundant polar sites,w hich can effectively inhibit the shuttle of polysulfides,resulting in high specific capacity and excellent cycle performance. [16] Sulfur hosts with inherent polarization are expected to suppress the shuttle effect of NaPSs. [14] Polar sulfur host materials mainly include four types:1 )oxides (such as TiO 2 , V 2 O 5 ,and MoO 3 ), [17] 2) sulfides (such as ZnS,CoS 2 ,T iS 2 ,and MoS 2 ), [17b, 18] 3) chlorides (such as TiCl 2 and ZrCl 2 ), [17b] and 4) elemental metals (such as Cu, Al, Au,a nd Co).…”