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

Abstract

Nanocarbons (NCs) consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were coated on the surface of nickel foam (NF) via a chemical vapor deposition method. The CNFs formed conductive networks on NF, while the CNTs grew perpendicular to the surface of the CNFs, accompanied with the formation of Ni nanoparticles (Ni NPs) at the end of CNTs. The unique Ni-NCs-coated NF with a porous structure was applied as the three-dimensional (3D) current collector of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, which provided enough space to accommodate the electrode materials inside itself. Therefore, the 3D interconnected conductive framework of the coated NF collector merged in the electrode materials shortened the path of electron transport, and the generated Ni NPs could adsorb lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and effectively accelerated the conversion kinetics of LiPSs as well, thereby suppressing the “shuttle effect”. Moreover, the rigid framework of NF would also constrain the movement of the electrode compositions, which benefited the stability of the Li–S batteries. As a matter of fact, the Li–S battery based on the Ni-NCs-coated NF collector delivered an initial discharge capacity as high as 1472 mAh g–1 at 0.1C and outstanding high rate capability at 3C (802 mAh g–1). Additionally, low decay rates of 0.067 and 0.08% at 0.2C (300 cycles) and 0.5C (500 cycles) have been obtained, respectively. Overall, our prepared Ni-NCs-coated NF collector is promising for the application in high-performance Li–S batteries.

Hybrid Organosulfur Network/MWCNT Composite Cathodes for Li–S Batteries

“…Figure a presents voltage profiles for S– ran –DIB–MWCNT 20 hybrid electrode using galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) . The curves reveal a pair of discharge–charge voltage plateaus, indicating two-phase electrochemical reactions typical for sulfur to different rank of polysulfide conversions and vice versa.…”

“…Despite several fluctuations in current rates, the specific capacity was restored to Figure 10a presents voltage profiles for S−ran−DIB− MWCNT 20 hybrid electrode using galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT). 37 The curves reveal a pair of discharge−charge voltage plateaus, indicating two-phase electrochemical reactions typical for sulfur to different rank of polysulfide conversions and vice versa. The internal resistance of the electrodes was evaluated at a 0.1C rate.…”

Introduced Hierarchically Ordered Porous Architecture on a Separator as an Efficient Polysulfide Trap toward High-Mass-Loading Li–S Batteries

“…Generally, a sulfur loading of 2 mg cm –2 is the bottom line for constructing high-energy-density Li–S batteries . To validate the superiority of the CPC material, a series of CR2032-type coin cells were meticulously assembled to assess their comprehensive electrochemical characteristics.…”

“…Generally, a sulfur loading of 2 mg cm −2 is the bottom line for constructing high-energy-density Li−S batteries. 51 To validate the superiority of the CPC material, a series of CR2032-type coin cells were meticulously assembled to assess their comprehensive electrochemical characteristics. Unless explicitly stated, all cell tests were performed with a sulfur loading of 3 mg cm −2 to ascertain the viability of CPC-modified separators in practical high-mass-loading Li−S batteries.…”

Polypyrrole-coated cobalt sulfide as an effective host for sulfur cathode

“…These results indicate that Li 2 S nucleation kinetics are enhanced in the CoS@PPy/S electrode. 52,53 A Li 2 S precipitation experiment was also employed to evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of CoS@PPy, CoS and PPy hosts. Specifically, the capacity of the Li 2 S precipitation on CoS@PPy (166.9 mA h g −1 ) is markedly higher than those on CoS (131.6 mA h g −1 ) and PPy (109.7 mA h g −1 ) (Fig.…”