Cinnamon-Derived Hierarchically Porous Carbon as an Effective Lithium Polysulfide Reservoir in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur batteries are attractive candidates for next generation high energy applications, but more research works are needed to overcome their current challenges, namely: (a) the poor electronic conductivity of sulfur, and (b) the dissolution and migration of long-chain polysulfides. Inspired by eco-friendly and bio-derived materials, we synthesized highly porous carbon from cinnamon sticks. The bio-carbon had an ultra-high surface area and large pore volume, which serves the dual functions of making sulfur particles highly conductive and acting as a polysulfide reservoir. Sulfur was predominantly impregnated into pores of the carbon, and the inter-connected hierarchical pore structure facilitated a faster ionic transport. The strong carbon framework maintained structural integrity upon volume expansion, and the unoccupied pores served as polysulfide trapping sites, thereby retaining the polysulfide within the cathode and preventing sulfur loss. These mechanisms contributed to the superior performance of the lithium-sulfur cell, which delivered a discharge capacity of 1020 mAh g−1 at a 0.2C rate. Furthermore, the cell exhibited improved kinetics, with an excellent cycling stability for 150 cycles with a very low capacity decay of 0.10% per cycle. This strategy of combining all types of pores (micro, meso and macro) with a high pore volume and ultra-high surface area had a synergistic effect on improving the performance of the sulfur cathode.

Adsorption isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies of O,O‐diethyl‐O‐(3,5,6‐trichloropyridin‐2‐yl) phosphorothioate (chlorpyrifos) on cinnamon verum–based activated carbon

“…Previous reports of cinnamon stick carbonization required pore activation techniques to achieve the observed porous structure. 30 The pores appear to be predominantly macropores. After activation, the development of more mesopores and even micropores can be observed in Figure 3C (Figure 3F).…”

“…One research group has begun researching porous carbons derived from cinnamon specifically for battery applications. 14,30 They reported ultra-high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas up to 3180 m 2 /g, which is among the highest for carbon derived from biomaterials. 30 However, their process utilizes a substantial amount of chemicals for purification, washing, and impregnation and high-quality cinnamon sticks.…”

“…14,30 They reported ultra-high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas up to 3180 m 2 /g, which is among the highest for carbon derived from biomaterials. 30 However, their process utilizes a substantial amount of chemicals for purification, washing, and impregnation and high-quality cinnamon sticks. It may not be suitable as low-cost alternative adsorbents.…”

Sustainable Biomass Activated Carbons as Electrodes for Battery and Supercapacitors—A Mini-Review

“…It has been shown in the literature that there are a variety of materials synthesised from heterogeneous biomass precursors [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 32 ]. These carbon materials might exhibit different properties and structures that are in function of the biomass type and initial composition.…”

Structural and Surfacial Modification of Carbon Nanofoam as an Interlayer for Electrochemically Stable Lithium-Sulfur Cells

“…Moreover, the inexpensive sulfur is nontoxic and naturally abundant. Therefore, great attention is given to lithium-sulfur cells because of their electrochemical and material properties [7][8][9][10][11].…”