Evolution of Hollow N‐Doped Mesoporous Carbon Microspheres from Outdated Milk as Sulfur Cathodes for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries. Issue 14 (14th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luo, Rongjie; Lu, Yang; Hou, Xiaoyi; Yu, Qiuhong; Wu, Naiteng; Peng, Tao; Yan, Hailong; Liu, Xianming; Kim, Jang‐Kyo; Luo, Yongsong
• Is Part Of: ChemistrySelect. Volume 3:Issue 14(2018)
• Page Start: 3952
• Page End: 3957
• Publication Date: 2018-04-14
• Subjects: Carbon microspheres -- Li-sulfur batteries -- Nitrogen doping -- Outdated dairy products; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1002/slct.201703038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2365-6549

Abstract

Abstract: Li‐sulfur batteries possess many advantages, such as high theoretical capacities, high energy densities, environmental benignity and natural abundance of sulfur with a high theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh⋅g −1 . However, their commercialization has been hindered due to many prevailing issues, including the poor electrical conductivity of sulfur and the high solubility of polysulfide intermediates. We report a facile and scalable, solution‐based spray drying technique to synthesize hollow N‐doped mesoporous carbon microspheres (HNMCMs) with an exceptionally large surface area of 872 m 2 ⋅g −1 using outdated dairy products as carbon source. The novel electrode prepared from a high loading of sulfur accommodated by the HNMCM hosts delivers high initial discharge capacities of 781 and 682 mAh⋅g −1 at 0.5 and 1 C, respectively. It was further obtained that the capability retention can be retained as high as 79.4% at 1 C after 400 cycles. The excellent cyclic stability and rate capability of the HNMCM/S cathode can be ascribed to the large surface area, high electrical conductivity enhanced by the high content of doped nitrogen and unique hollow microsphere structure of HNMCMs. Abstract : Herein, we demonstrate that a highly functional, conductive carbon substrate can be obtained via using outdated dairy products like milk as carbon source by a spray drying process. The hollow N‐doped mesoporous carbon microspheres (HNMCM) material is then assembled into high‐performance sulfur cathodes for LSB, which display good long cycling stability a capacity retention of 79.4% after 400 cycles at 1 C.