Implanting Cobalt Atom Clusters within Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Network as Highly Stable Cathode for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Realization of highly efficient sulfur electrochemistry, as well as the high capacity of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, can be achieved by the scientific construction of electrode host materials. In this study, using molten NaCl, a 3D porous nitrogen‐doped carbon with uniformly embedded Co atom clusters (Co/PNC) is developed by pyrolyzing the precursors with NaCl at high temperatures. In the composite structure, a network carbon skeleton containing hierarchical pores acts as an advanced matrix for sulfur electrodes, and the doping of N and Co is subject to inhibit the shuttle of long‐chain lithium polysulfides through chemical adsorption. The Co/PNC, with the optimized amount of Co, delivers an initial specific capacity of 1105.4 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C with a capacity drop of only 0.064% after the cell is charged and discharged for 300 cycles at 1 C, revealing its potential in promoting the large‐scale application of Li–S batteries.

P-block tin single atom catalyst for improved electrochemistry in a lithium–sulfur battery: a theoretical and experimental study

“…The significantly lower charge transfer resistance of Sn SA –NC implies the more favorable charge transfer kinetics at the Sn SA –NC/polysulfides interfaces. 61,62…”

“…, Fe, Co, V)-based single atom catalysts. 28,62,63 The discrepancy in the cycling stability is essentially ascribed to the synergic effects of the strong adsorption ability and catalytic activity of the Sn–N 4 sites towards polysulfides. The chemical tethering of the polysulfides cannot necessarily lead into good capacity retention because the charge storage capacity can only be achieved through highly reversible electrochemical sulfur redox.…”

Constructing a multifunctional mesoporous composite of metallic cobalt nanoparticles and nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxides for high‐performance lithium–sulfur batteries

“…To the best of our knowledge, parts of the above‐mentioned catalysts still suffer from an inferior electronic conductivity, and thus their replacement by metallic nanoparticles or their doping with a polar carbonaceous material may more or less overcome this issue 31–37 . When porous carbon nanosheets modified with metallic Co and heteroatoms N and B (Co‐NBC) are selected as sulfur‐loading frameworks, the corresponding S/Co‐NBC cathode yields an initial discharge capacity of 823 mAh g −1 at 0.5 C and then reaches a reversible value of 440 mAh g −1 after 500 galvanostatic cycles 38 .…”

“…[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] To the best of our knowledge, parts of the abovementioned catalysts still suffer from an inferior electronic conductivity, and thus their replacement by metallic nanoparticles or their doping with a polar carbonaceous material may more or less overcome this issue. [31][32][33][34][35][36][37] When porous carbon nanosheets modified with metallic Co and heteroatoms N and B (Co-NBC) are selected as sulfur-loading frameworks, the corresponding S/Co-NBC cathode yields an initial discharge capacity of 823 mAh g −1 at 0.5 C and then reaches a reversible value of 440 mAh g −1 after 500 galvanostatic cycles. 38 Another example is the use of Coembedded, N-doping carbon nanotubes (Co@NCNTs) as a host of sulfur, and the corresponding S/Co@NCNT yields a reversible capacity of 658 mAh g −1 at 0.5 A g −1 in the 200th cycle.…”

Carbon-Based Conductive Frameworks and Metal Catalytic Sites Derived from Cross-Linked Porous Porphyrin-Based Polyimides for Enhanced Conversion of Lithium Polysulfides in Li–S Batteries

“…The combination of the above factors realizes the kinetic equilibrium of adsorption− dispersion−conversion to significantly restrain the shuttling behavior of LiPSs. 4,9,30,31 The development of cathode materials, including carbon nanotubes, 32 graphene, 33 porous carbon, 34 polymer architectures, 35 metal composite, and multiphase complex 36,37 has resulted in many achievements. The Nazar group reported a feasible approach to synthesize highly ordered carbon-based composites (CMK-3) with an interwoven network.…”