Three-Dimensionally Hierarchical Graphene Based Aerogel Encapsulated Sulfur as Cathode for Lithium/Sulfur Batteries

Nanomaterials

Zhumabay Bakenov¹  Zhuo Wang²  Liancheng Sun²  Yongguang Zhang²  Gongkai Wang²  Haipeng Li²  Taizhe Tan³ 

[1] National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Institute of Batteries LLC, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan;School of Materials Science & Engineering, Research Institute for Energy Equipment Materials, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China;Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Heyuan 517000, China;

关键词: lithium/sulfur battery;    cathode;    sulfur/activated carbon/graphene aerogel composite;    reduced graphene oxide;    electrochemical performance;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nano8020069

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

A simple and effective method was developed to obtain the electrode for lithium/sulfur (Li/S) batteries with high specific capacity and cycling durability via adopting an interconnected sulfur/activated carbon/graphene (reduced graphene oxide) aerogel (S/AC/GA) cathode architecture. The AC/GA composite with a well-defined interconnected conductive network was prepared by a reduction-induced self-assembly process, which allows for obtaining compact and porous structures. During this process, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was formed, and due to the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups on its surface, it not only improves the electronic conductivity of the cathode but also effectively inhibits the polysulfides dissolution and shuttle. The introduced activated carbon allowed for lateral and vertical connection between individual graphene sheets, completing the formation of a stable three-dimensionally (3D) interconnected graphene framework. Moreover, a high specific surface area and 3D interconnected porous structure efficiently hosts a higher amount of active sulfur material, about 65 wt %. The designed S/AC/GA composite electrodes deliver an initial capacity of 1159 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and can retain a capacity of 765 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles in potential range from 1 V to 3 V.

【 授权许可】

Unknown