Nanoscale CuFe2O4 Uniformly Decorated on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers as Highly Efficient Catalysts for Polysulfide Conversion in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries. Issue 23 (3rd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Yanping; Bi, Mingzhu; Yu, Heli; Zhang, Cuijuan; Majeed, Arslan; Shen, Xiangqian; Yao, Shanshan
• Is Part Of: ChemElectroChem. Volume 8:Issue 23(2021)
• Page Start: 4564
• Page End: 4572
• Publication Date: 2021-12-03
• Subjects: lithium-sulfur batteries -- copper ferrite -- chemisorption -- electrochemistry -- nitrogen-doped carbon; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.202101331
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2196-0216

Abstract

Abstract: Lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries have been considered one of the most promising energy storage systems, owing to the theoretical specific capacity (1675 mAh g −1 ) and energy density (2600 Wh g −1 ). However, it is challenging to solve the shuttling and low reduction kinetics of lithium polysulfides. Hence, the combination of electrospun and hydrothermal treatments acts as an effective strategy to synthesize copper ferrite nanoparticles decorated on nitrogen doped carbon nanofibers (CF/NC). The resultant material is employed as a positive current collector containing Li2 S6 catholyte for Li−S batteries. The addition of CF nanoparticles plays a vital role in capturing polysulfides in both physical and chemical adsorption. Besides, promoted sulfur conversion kinetics are obtained due to the excellent catalytic effect, which enabled significantly improved sulfur utilization, high‐rate capability, and cycling stability. Under a 5.75 mg sulfur loading, the cell with CF/NC delivers an excellent cycling stability with 609 mAh g −1 after 300 cycles at 0.2 C. Even at 12.15 mg high sulfur loading, the high initial capacity of the cell is 9.4 mAh at 0.1 C. Abstract : Freestanding electrodes : Copper ferrite nanoparticles decorated on nitrogen‐doped carbon nanofibers (CF/NC) accompanying Li2 S6 catholyte act as a three‐dimensional freestanding electrode for Li−S batteries. Furthermore, abundant active sites provided by the CF nanoparticles can achieve intense chemical adsorption and fast catalytic conversion of polysulfides, resulting in improved electrochemical properties.