3D Interconnected Porous Carbon Aerogels as Sulfur Immobilizers for Sulfur Impregnation for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries with High Rate Capability and Cycling Stability. (23rd December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Zhiwei; Li, Zhaoqiang; Hao, Fengbin; Wang, Xuekun; Li, Qun; Qi, Yongxin; Fan, Runhua; Yin, Longwei
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 24:Number 17(2014)
• Page Start: 2500
• Page End: 2509
• Publication Date: 2013-12-23
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201303080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>To eliminate capacity‐fading effects due to the loss of sulfur cathode materials as a result of polysulfide dissolution in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) cells, 3D carbon aerogel (CA) materials with abundant narrow micropores can be utilized as an immobilizer host for sulfur impregnation. The effects of S incorporation on microstructure, surface area, pore size distribution, and pore volume of the S/CA hybrids are studied. The electrochemical performance of the S/CA hybrids is investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatical charge–discharge, and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The 3D porous S/CA hybrids exhibit significantly improved reversible capacity, high‐rate capability, and excellent cycling performance as a cathode electrode for Li–S batteries. The S/CA hybrid with an optimal incorporating content of 27% S shows an excellent reversible capacity of 820 mAhg<sup>−1</sup> after 50 cycles at a current density of 100 mAg<sup>−1</sup>. Even at a current density of 3.2C (5280 mAg<sup>−1</sup>), the reversible capacity of 27%S/CA hybrid can still maintain at 521 mAhg<sup>−1</sup> after 50 cycles. This strategy for the S/CA hybrids as cathode materials to utilize the abundant micropores for sulfur immobilizers for sulfur impregnation for Li–S battery offers a new way to solve the long‐term reversibility obstacle and provides guidelines for designing cathode electrode architectures.</p> </abstract>