Cathode Framework of Nanostructured Titanium Nitride/Graphene for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Nanostructured titanium nitride (TiN) and graphene composite electrodes have been fabricated through a facile method, combining ultrasonication with melt‐diffusion of elemental sulfur. Nanostructured TiN particles and tube arrays mechanically mixed with graphene substrate leads to the formation of a porous, stabilized composite structure with enhanced electrical conductivity. Such a framework may facilitate accessibility of electrolyte and fast transfer of charges. The specific capacities of the Li−S batteries with TiN nanotubes/graphene and TiN nanoparticles/graphene composites are 1229 and 1085 mAh g−1, respectively, after 180 cycles under a 0.1 C rate, which are significantly better than pure TiN nanostructures. The specific capacity and capacity retention were investigated as a function of the TiN nanotube to graphene ratio. The optimal ratio was found to be 1 : 1 TiN/graphene, with the highest capacity retention of 87.5 % after 180 cycles. This 3D hybrid structure may provide a balance of high specific capacity and electrochemical stability, allowing durable and efficient energy storage and conversion over a long cycle life.

Highly Packed Monodisperse Porous Carbon Microspheres for Energy Storage in Supercapacitors and Li−S Batteries

“…It can be seen that the capacity stabilizes with cycling and, from the 100 th cycle onwards, the capacity fade is only of 0.015 %/cycle. Such capacity retention compares well with other high performance cathodes made of N‐doped carbons, TiN or polar metal oxides/hydroxides with strong polysulfide adsorption abilities . The coulombic efficiency stays above 98 % at the 500 th cycle, and decreases slightly to 96 % at the 600 th cycle.…”

Free-Standing Titanium Nitride Films as Carbon-Free Sulfur Hosts for Flexible Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…The stable process proves the excellent stability of TiN-900 as an efficient electrocatalyst toward the catalytic conversion of LiPSs. 37,41 At the same time, TiN-800 and TiN-1000 symmetric cells were also tested (Figure S16, Supporting Information). Compared with TiN-900 symmetric cells, TiN-800 and TiN-1000 symmetric cells have only one oxidation peak and one reduction peak.…”

“…More recently, metal nitrides, such as MoN, , VN, , and CoN, have been widely used in Li–S batteries because of their great electrical conductivity, chemical absorption properties for polysulfides, and the excellent catalytic conversion effect for polysulfides. , For example, the excellent chemical adsorption and electrochemical performances of WN and VN have been studied by experimental research studies and theoretical calculations. , Meanwhile, a great number of research studies prove that TiN also has good conductivity, chemical adsorption, and catalytic conversion effect of polysulfides. ,− Consequently, designing a carbon-free free-standing electrode with metal nitride is a feasible strategy to effectively improve the sulfur loading and sulfur utilization of the Li–S battery.…”

Titanium nitride (TiN) as a promising alternative to plasmonic metals: a comprehensive review of synthesis and applications

“…For example, Zeng et al devised a straightforward approach for fabricating composite electrodes consisting of TiN and graphene. 184 This method involved the integration of ultrasonication with the melt-diffusion process of elemental sulfur. As a consequence, a composite structure exhibiting porosity was obtained, thereby leading to enhanced electrical conductivity.…”