Binder-free and high-loading sulfurized polyacrylonitrile cathode for lithium/sulfur batteries
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) is a promising active material for Li/S batteries owing to its high sulfur utilization and long-term cyclability. However, because SPAN electrodes are synthesized using powder, they require large amounts of electrolyte, conducting agents, and binder, which reduces the practical energy density. Herein, to improve the practical energy density, we fabricated bulk-type SPAN disk cathodes from pressed sulfur and polyacrylonitrile powders using a simple heating process. The SPAN disks could be used directly as cathode materials because their π–π structures provide molecular-level electrical connectivity. In addition, the electrodes had interconnected pores, which improved the mobility of Li+ ions by allowing homogeneous adsorption of the electrolyte. The specific capacity of the optimal electrode was very high (517 mA h gelectrode−1). Furthermore, considering the weights of the anode, separator, cathode, and electrolyte, the Li/S cell exhibited a high practical energy density of 250 W h kg−1. The areal capacity was also high (8.5 mA h cm−2) owing to the high SPAN loading of 16.37 mg cm−2. After the introduction of 10 wt% multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a conducting agent, the SPAN disk electrode exhibited excellent cyclability while maintaining a high energy density. This strategy offers a potential candidate for Li/S batteries with high practical energy densities.
Date Issued
2021-05-08
Date Acceptance
2021-04-26
Citation
RSC Advances: an international journal to further the chemical sciences, 2021, 11 (26), pp.16122-16130
ISSN
2046-2069
Publisher
The Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
16122
End Page
16130
Journal / Book Title
RSC Advances: an international journal to further the chemical sciences
Volume
11
Issue
26
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by the Royal Society of Chemistry. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Identifier
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/ra/d1ra02462k
Subjects
ANODE
Chemistry
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
COMPOSITE
DESIGN
ELECTROLYTE
INTERLAYER
LAYER
MESOPOROUS CARBON NANOFIBERS
PERFORMANCE
Physical Sciences
POLYSULFIDES
Science & Technology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-04-30