Interwoven NiCo2O4 Nanosheet/Carbon Nanotube Composites as Highly Efficient Lithium−Sulfur Cathode Hosts

5 years ago

Interwoven NiCo2O4 Nanosheet/Carbon Nanotube Composites as Highly Efficient Lithium−Sulfur Cathode Hosts

Chenmeng Chen, Shuxia Yuan, Dengji Xiao, Yaodong Liu, Huifang Zhang, Chunxiang Lu

Lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries are one of the most promising candidates for the next generation of rechargeable battery systems, because of their high energy density and cost effectiveness. But, their commercialized applications are hindered by fast capacity fading and poor cycling stability. In this work, sulfur hosts based on interwoven NiCo2O4 nanosheet/carbon nanotube composites are designed and synthesized by using a solvothermal reaction and subsequent annealing. In this unique material architecture, the carbon nanotubes construct a porous conductive network across the NiCo2O4 nanosheets to provide fast electron paths. In addition, the NiCo2O4 nanosheets can chemically bind polysulfides to restrain their diffusion into electrolyte. As a result, the Li−S batteries based on this sulfur host exhibit high specific capacity, excellent cycling stability, and good rate capability. Reversible specific capacities of 1311 and 575 mA h g−1 are achieved at rates of 0.1 and 2 C, respectively, together with an excellent cycling stability of 0.038 % capacity decay per cycle over 1200 cycles at 0.5 C. Here's your host: Sulfur hosts based on interwoven NiCo2O4 nanosheet/carbon-nanotube composites are designed and synthesized through a solvothermal reaction and subsequent annealing. The lithium−sulfur batteries based on this sulfur host exhibit reversible specific capacities of 1311 and 575 mA h g−1 at rates of 0.1 and 2 C, respectively, together with an excellent cycling stability of 0.038 % capacity decay per cycle over 1200 cycles at 0.5 C.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1002/celc.201700643