A green and facile strategy for the low-temperature and rapid synthesis of Li2S@PC–CNT cathodes with high Li2S content for advanced Li–S batteries. Issue 21 (14th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liang, Sheng; Xia, Yang; Liang, Chu; Gan, Yongping; Huang, Hui; Zhang, Jun; Tao, Xinyong; Sun, Wei; Han, Weiqiang; Zhang, Wenkui
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 6:Issue 21(2018)
• Page Start: 9906
• Page End: 9914
• Publication Date: 2018-05-14
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ta01342j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Lithium sulfide (Li2 S) is considered as a promising lithium storage material because of its high theoretical specific capacity of 1166 mA h g −1 . Abstract : Lithium sulfide (Li2 S) is considered as a promising lithium storage material because of its high theoretical specific capacity of 1166 mA h g −1 . The electrochemical performance of Li2 S can be remarkably improved by introducing carbon to form Li2 S–carbon composites. However, the complex preparation process of Li2 S–carbon composites limits their large-scale applications. Herein, we present a green and facile strategy to synthesize porous carbon-coated Li2 S–carbon nanotube composites (Li2 S@PC–CNT) by heating carbon disulfide (CS2 ) and the lithium hydride–CNT mixture at a temperature below 250 °C, which is the lowest temperature for in situ synthesis of Li2 S–carbon composites reported till date. For the Li2 S@PC–CNT composites, Li2 S@PC particles are connected with neighboring particles through the 3D CNTs network skeleton. This unique nanoarchitecture not only prevents the loss of active materials and diffusion of polysulfides, but also significantly facilitates fast electron and ion transport. As a result, a high specific capacity (820 mA h g −1 at 0.1 A g −1 after 10 cycles) and a remarkable cycle life (502 mA h g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 after 300 cycles) are achieved. The rationally designed structure and superior electrochemical performance of the Li2 S@PC–CNT composites will pave a new avenue for realizing high energy density of Li–S batteries.