MnO2 nanoflowers grown on a polypropylene separator for use as both a barrier and an accelerator of polysulfides for high-performance Li–S batteries. Issue 28 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zuo, Yinze; Yan, Tao; Zhu, Yuejin; Zhou, Jian; Su, Weiming; Shi, Xingling; Tang, Yuefeng; Chen, Yanfeng
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 49:Issue 28(2020)
• Page Start: 9719
• Page End: 9727
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01435d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : The separator modification has been considered to be the most effective approach to obtain high-stability lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). Abstract : The separator modification has been considered to be the most effective approach to obtain high-stability lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). Therefore, a separator with an ultralight modification layer plays an indispensable role to obtain LSBs with high specific capacity and high energy density. Herein, we report a novel modified separator with an ultrathin and lightweight MnO2 functional layer (500 nm, 0.1 mg cm −2 ), which was grown in situ on a Celgard-2400 separator (MnO2 @PP) via a facile hydrothermal reaction. The MnO2 @PP separator effectively suppressed the shuttle of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and improved the redox process. In addition, the strong chemical affinity of MnO2 for LiPSs was also verified by first-principles calculations. Benefiting from these advantages, the cell with the MnO2 @PP separator delivered a high rate performance of 759 mA h g −1 at 2.5 C and an initial capacity of 825 mA h g −1 with a retention of 684 mA h g −1 after 400 cycles at 1.25 C. Even with a high sulfur loading of 6 mg cm −2, the obtained cell exhibited a reversible capacity of 747 mA h g −1 after 150 cycles.