A N-doped graphene–cobalt nickel sulfide aerogel as a sulfur host for lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

Herein, three-dimensional (3D) N-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) nanosheets were decorated with a uniform distribution of Co–Ni–S (CNS) nanoparticles to form the CNS/N-rGO composite as a sulfur host material for lithium–sulfur batteries.

Nickel Foam Coated by Ni Nanoparticle-Decorated 3D Nanocarbons as a Freestanding Host for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…Such a performance is better than those of porous carbon-nested NF (760 mAh g –1 at 2C) and CoNi-layered double-hydroxide-coated NF (504 mAh g –1 at 3C). Besides, it is even better than that using mature technology to modify the sulfur cathode with the Co–Ni–S/N-rGO composite (622 mAh g –1 at 3C) in Li–S batteries. In contrast, the carbon-coated Al cathode has a low specific capacity of 985 and 930 mAh g –1 at 0.1 and 0.2C, respectively.…”

“…Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high theoretical capacity (1675 mAh g –1 ) have become one of the most promising candidates for the next-generation rechargeable battery. − Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, the sulfur cathode with an operating voltage of ∼2.1 V versus Li undergoes a series of electrochemical conversion reactions, leading to a high energy density of 2500 Wh kg –1 . − In addition, the elemental sulfur as the active material has the advantages of low cost, natural abundance, and environmental benignity. − Nevertheless, there are still some drawbacks to be overcome for the practical application of Li–S batteries: − (i) low conductivity (5 × 10 –30 S cm –1 at room temperature) of sulfur as the active material, (ii) “shuttle effect” caused by the high solubility of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in the organic electrolyte, (iii) volume expansion during the charge–discharge process.…”

“…To date, the scientists mainly focus on improving the electrical conductivity of the cathode using highly conductive carbon materials as the host of sulfur and mitigating the shuttle effect by incorporating metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal chalcogenides, or polymers into the electrode or modifying the separator membrane to anchor the soluble LiPS intermediates in redox reactions. ,,− Although substantial progress has been made, there is still ample room to improve the electrochemical performance of Li–S batteries. For instance, the traditional aluminum (Al) foil with the two-dimensional (2D) structure still faces the challenges of limited electrocatalytic sites and low sulfur-loading as the current collector .…”

Aerogels Utilizations in Batteries

“…The optimized composite of materials gives outstanding reversible capacitance of 1033 mAh/g and approximately 80% of its capacity after 160cycles. Likewise Ping Wu et al [52] made a composite aerogel comprising N-doped graphene and cobalt nickel sulphide through sulfur melting diffusion method for its application in Li-S batteries. As a conductive framework graphene facilitates an enhanced electrical conductivity.…”

Crystalline Multi‐Metallic Compounds as Host Materials in Cathode for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…These carbon materials, keep abundant porous structures like porous carbon, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon spheres, graphene etc., which are prepared via calcination of numerous carbonaceous materials, accompanied with a physical or chemical activation treatment. [11][12][13][14][15][16] Such carbon materials usually adsorb the polysulfide intermediates through high surface area, but usually offer weak interactions toward intermediate polar LiPSs and poor catalytic ability for conversion of polysulfides. That is why some surface chemistry techniques with dopant atoms and functional groups on carbon host materials have been tried to improve performance of sulfur-carbon composite cathodes.…”