Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile Impregnated Delignified Wood-Based 3D Carbon Framework for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) is a promising cathode active material capable of suppressing lithium polysulfide dissolution in lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries. However, due to the low S content in SPAN, achieving a high SPAN areal loading without compromising specific capacity and cycling stability would be required. To address this challenge, we took advantage of the inherent porous structure of natural wood and engineered carbonized delignified wood (CDW) frameworks using a delignification/low-temperature pyrolysis approach. The unique design of the SPAN-impregnated CDW (SPAN@CDW) electrode, wherein the interconnected pathways run in three dimensions, ensures effective electron and ion transport within the electrode. Biomass-derived SPAN@CDW cathodes exhibited an excellent rate capability compared to the popular synthetic 3D scaffolds, such as graphene foam cathodes, with discharge capacities >1000 mA h g s −1 at 1 C (1672 mA g −1 ). Electrodes with CDW pyrolyzed at 600 °C, and a S areal loading of ∼2 mg cm −2 exhibited a high specific capacity of ∼1350 mA h g s −1 after 500 cycles at 0.1 C, indicating good cycling stability. We also demonstrated the sustainable fabrication of SPAN@CDW electrodes with high SPAN loadings up to ∼35 mg cm −2 , which could deliver a high areal capacity of ∼15.1 mA h cm −2 at 0.1 C.

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile as cathodes for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries: advances in modification strategies

“…10b). Inspired by the inherent porous structure and material transport mechanisms of natural wood, Sabet et al 119 engineered a carbonized delignified wood (CDW) framework by delignification/low-temperature pyrolysis, and then vacuum-assisted impregnation of CDW with SPAN to prepare a freestanding SPAN@CDW electrode. The biomass-derived SPAN@CDW cathode had a high SPAN loading of up to ∼35 mg cm −2 and could provide a high areal capacity of ∼15.1 mA h cm −2 at 0.1 C. This surprising result is partly due to strong affinity of CDW for SPAN, and on the other hand, the three-dimensional interconnected network of CDW and countless pores on the cell walls serve as shorter transport paths for electrons and ions, ensuring their rapid migration during charging and discharging processes (Fig.…”

Research Progress and Modification Measures of Anode and Cathode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…Compared with other energy storage devices, lithium‐ion battery has the advantages of long cycle life, no memory effect, low self‐discharge, high operating voltage, and environmental friendliness, etc. which has been unanimously recognized [48–50] . At present, it is widely used in the fields of portable intelligent electronic equipment, power tools and new energy electric vehicles.…”

“…which has been unanimously recognized. [48][49][50] At present, it is widely used in the fields of portable intelligent electronic equipment, power tools and new energy electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries rely on the embedding and deem bedding of lithium ions between the cathode and anodes to achieve charge and discharge.…”

Unlocking the Potential of Wood Residues for Producing Screen-Printed Electrochemical Sensors

“…10 Later on, in the ancient age, other applications appeared such as in metallurgy for the smelting of ores in which charcoal was used as a reducing agent or in water purification taking advantage of its adsorption properties after specific activation treatments. Currently, the potential use of pyrolyzed wood as the starting conductive material has mainly found application in the production of anodes in fuel cells 11,12 and of supercapacitors for energy storage applications. 13,14 However, they have scarcely been applied in the development of electrodes for electroanalytical applications.…”

“…Later on, in the ancient age, other applications appeared such as in metallurgy for the smelting of ores in which charcoal was used as a reducing agent or in water purification taking advantage of its adsorption properties after specific activation treatments. Currently, the potential use of pyrolyzed wood as the starting conductive material has mainly found application in the production of anodes in fuel cells , and of supercapacitors for energy storage applications. , However, they have scarcely been applied in the development of electrodes for electroanalytical applications. , Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, they have not been used for the manufacturing of screen-printed electrodes. The present work aims to contribute to the upcycling of wood biomass by investigating the potential of the carbon-based materials obtained from the pyrolysis of wood residues for producing electrodes for sensing applications.…”