Li‐S Batteries: Ultrathin MnO₂/Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotube Interlayer as Efficient Polysulfide‐Trapping Shield for High‐Performance Li–S Batteries (Adv. Funct. Mater. 18/2017)

Abstract

In article number https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201606663, Jiaping Wang and co‐workers report on ultrathin MnO2/graphene oxide/carbon nanotube interlayers as efficient polysulfide‐trapping shields for high‐performance Li–S batteries. The sandwiched interlayer significantly alleviates polysulfide shuttling and improves cycling stability and rate performance. Self‐discharge and passivation‐layer‐formation on the anode are greatly suppressed by the excellent polysulfide‐trapping ability of the interlayer.

The Role of Cation Vacancies in Electrode Materials for Enhanced Electrochemical Energy Storage: Synthesis, Advanced Characterization, and Fundamentals

“…[ 51,52 ] There are two commonly used strategies to mitigate these problems, including: i) microstructure/morphology controlling that provides large surface area and porous/hollow structures to facilitate the alkali cation adsorption/intercalation and alleviate the structural strain to accommodate large volume variation, [ 53–63 ] and ii) combining transitional metal oxides with conducting materials or other metal oxides to enhance the electrical conductivity and electrochemical reactivity. [ 64–75 ] Although straightforward and effective, the above‐mentioned two methods are “extrinsic” approaches, which mean that the modification does not involve variation of the atomic/electronic structures of the host materials. Thus, the electrode properties are typically alternated by creating large surface area to promote ion absorption, or to prepare composites with conductive materials to increase electrical conductivity, nevertheless, the improvement in electrodes' performance is quite limited.…”

Nb2O5/RGO Nanocomposite Modified Separators with Robust Polysulfide Traps and Catalytic Centers for Boosting Performance of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…SEM observation and EDX analysis were employed to investigate the surface morphologies and sulfur distributions of the cycled lithium anodes. As shown in Figure a, the cycled lithium anode in the LSB with the Nb 2 O 5 /RGO‐modified separator presents a smooth surface with lower roughness, indicating that the catalytic Nb 2 O 5 /RGO modifier can effectively suppress the shuttling of LiPSs by strong chemsorption and accelerated LiPSs conversions . While a large quantity of rough and uneven morphologies are observed on the lithium anode in the battery with the RGO‐modified separator (Figure b).…”

“…Figure c and Figure S20 compare the digital photos of the cycled lithium anodes. The black layer observed on the lithium anode in the battery with the PP separator is attributed to the deposition of Li 2 S 2 /Li 2 S from the shuttling of LiPSs . The cycled lithium anode in the battery with the RGO‐modified separator has been covered with a thin yellow layer which is due to the dissolution and diffusion of LiPSs.…”

Macroscopic Carbon Nanotube Structures for Lithium Batteries

“…d) Schematic and e) rate performances of the electrode with the functional G/M@SACNT interlayer. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2017, Wiley‐VCH.…”

“…Combining the unique characteristics of the SACNT films and graphene oxides, an ultrathin MnO 2 /graphene oxide/carbon nanotube (G/M@SACNT) interlayer with a thickness of 2 μm and an areal density of 0.104 mg cm −2 was introduced into the battery system (Figure d) . Apart from the chemisorption of MnO 2 and skeleton of SACNT films, the graphene oxides can further physically suppress the shuttle of polysulfides.…”