Co3O4-NP embedded mesoporous carbon rod with enhanced electrocatalytic conversion in lithium-sulfur battery. Issue 1 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Shaofeng; Hou, Xianhua; Zhong, Zeming; Shen, Kaixiang; Zhang, Guangzu; Yao, Lingmin; Chen, Fuming
• Is Part Of: Scientific reports. Volume 8:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Natural history -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 502.85
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34195-z
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2322

Abstract

Abstract Lithium-sulfur battery has been considered to be one of the promising alternatives to the traditional lithium-ion battery due to its high theoretical energy density and saving-cost. However, the sluggish reaction during the decomposition of lithium sulfide results in a low specific capacity and poor cycling stability. Herein Co3 O4 nano-particle embedded mesoporous carbon rod (Co3 O4 @MCR) was prepared through a template method to accommodate sulfur as cathode of lithium-sulfur battery. The resultant composite was characterized by Raman spectra, XRD, TEM, SEM, etc. The electrochemical investigation demonstrated that Co3 O4 @MCR composite exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic performance in lithium-sulfur battery, which was confirmed by cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge-discharge testing, and study of sulfide oxidation using linear sweep voltammetry. With the current density of 0.2 A/g, the specific discharge capacity can be achieved up to more than 1000 mAh/g after 100 cycles. The enhanced electrocatalytic conversion from Co3 O4 @MCR leads to a low over-potential, fast lithium-ion kinetics and sulfide oxidation reaction.