Conductive confinement of sulfur and polysulfide via carbonaceous blocking layers can simultaneously address the low conductivity, volume expansion of sulfur during charge/discharge process and polysulfides shuttling effect in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, conductive and porous nitrogen and phosphorus dual doped graphene (p-NP-G) blocking layer is prepared via a thermal annealing and subsequent hydrothermal reaction route. The doping levels of N and P in p-NP-G measured by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are ca. 4.38% and ca. 1.93 %, respectively. The dual doped blocking layer exhibits higher conductivity than N or P single doped blocking layer. More importantly, the density function theory (DFT) calculation demonstrates that P atoms and -P-O groups in the p-NP-G layer offer stronger adsorption to polysulfides than the N species. The electrochemical evaluation results illustrate that the p-NP-G blocking layer could deliver superior initial capacity (1158.3 mA h/g at the current density of 1 C), excellent rate capability (633.7 mA h/g at 2 C), and satisfactory cycling stability (ca. 0.09% capacity decay per cycle), which are better than the N or P single doped graphene. This work suggests that this synergetic combination of conductive and adsorptive confinement strategies induced by the multi-heteroatoms doping scheme is a promising approach for developing high performance Li-S batteries.

Being simple, inexpensive, scalable and environmentally friendly, microporous biomass biochars have been attracting enthusiastic attention for application in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, porous bamboo biochar is activated via a KOH/annealing process that creates a microporous structure, boosts surface area and enhances electronic conductivity. The treated sample is used to encapsulate sulfur to prepare a microporous bamboo carbon-sulfur (BC-S) nanocomposite for use as the cathode for Li-S batteries for the first time. The BC-S nanocomposite with 50 wt.% sulfur content delivers a high initial capacity of 1,295 mA·h/g at a low discharge rate of 160 mA/g and high capacity retention of 550 mA·h/g after 150 cycles at a high discharge rate of 800 mA/g with excellent coulombic efficiency (≥95%). This suggests that the BC-S nanocomposite could be a promising cathode material for Li-S batteries.

Si has attracted enormous research and manufacturing attention as an anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high specific capacity. The lack of a low cost and effective mechanism to prevent the pulverization of Si electrodes during the lithiation/ delithiation process has been a major barrier in the mass production of Si anodes. Naturally abundant gum arabic (GA), composed of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, is applied as a dualfunction binder to address this dilemma. Firstly, the hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide in GA are crucial in ensuring strong binding to Si. Secondly, similar to the function of fiber in fiberreinforced concrete (FRC), the long chain glycoproteins provide further mechanical tolerance to dramatic volume expansion by Si nanoparticles. The resultant Si anodes present an outstanding capacity of ca. 2000 mAh/g at a 1 C rate and 1000 mAh/g at 2 C rate, respectively, throughout 500 cycles. Excellent long-term stability is demonstrated by the maintenance of 1000 mAh/g specific capacity at 1 C rate for over 1000 cycles. This low cost, naturally abundant and environmentally benign polymer is a promising binder for LIBs in the future.