Geometrical engineering of a SPAN–graphene composite cathode for practical Li–S batteries. Issue 20 (3rd May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Hun; Hwang, Jang-Yeon; Bang, Sangin; Jung, Hun-Gi; Sun, Yang-Kook
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 10:Issue 20(2022)
• Page Start: 10844
• Page End: 10853
• Publication Date: 2022-05-03
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ta01398c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A 2D-compacted composite cathode composed of sulfurized-polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) and graphene for Li–S batteries. Abstract : The realization of practical lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries is contingent on the development of innovative electrode designs having high energy, high power and a long lifespan. Herein, we propose a compact, high-performance, 2D sulfurized-polyacrylonitrile/graphene (2D-SPAN/G) cathode for practical Li–S batteries. A 2D-SPAN/G cathode with a high active-mass (sulfur) loading of 10 mg cm −2 is successfully prepared via high-pressure pelletization. In the 2D-SPAN/G cathode, graphene nanosheets function as a robust and conductive scaffold, which uniformly encapsulates SPAN nanoparticles, providing structural integrity and enabling the high electrochemical utilization of sulfur. The combination of the stabilized lithium metal anode, a modified electrolyte (consisting of 1 M LiPF6 and 0.05 M LiDFOB in EMC : FEC (3 : 1 (v/v))) and a 2D-SPAN/G cathode delivers a high areal capacity of 11 mA h cm −2 and demonstrates outstanding cycling stability over 300 cycles at a high current density of 4 mA cm −2 . Moreover, the excellent electrochemical performance of a scaled-up, pouch-type Li–S battery featuring a 2D-SPAN/G cathode demonstrates the viability of the proposed cathode. The reversibility of the Li + -ion storage mechanism of the 2D-SPAN/G cathode is confirmed using operando Raman spectroscopy.