Graphene-based three-dimensional hierarchical sandwich-type architecture for high-performance Li/S batteries

Renjie Chen; Teng Zhao; Jun Lu; Feng Wu; Li Li; Junzheng Chen; Guoqiang Tan; Yusheng Ye; Khalil Amine

doi:10.1021/nl4016683

Graphene-based three-dimensional hierarchical sandwich-type architecture for high-performance Li/S batteries

Renjie Chen, Teng Zhao, Jun Lu, Feng Wu^*, Li Li, Junzheng Chen, Guoqiang Tan, Yusheng Ye, Khalil Amine

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Material Science and Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

397 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A multiwalled carbon nanotube/sulfur (MWCNT@S) composite with core-shell structure was successfully embedded into the interlay galleries of graphene sheets (GS) through a facile two-step assembly process. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images reveal a 3D hierarchical sandwich-type architecture of the composite GS-MWCNT@S. The thickness of the S layer on the MWCNTs is ∼20 nm. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirm that the sulfur in the composite is highly crystalline with a mass loading up to 70% of the composite. This composite is evaluated as a cathode material for Li/S batteries. The GS-MWCNT@S composite exhibits a high initial capacity of 1396 mAh/g at a current density of 0.2C (1C = 1672 mA/g), corresponding to 83% usage of the sulfur active material. Much improved cycling stability and rate capability are achieved for the GS-MWCNT@S composite cathode compared with the composite lacking GS or MWCNT. The superior electrochemical performance of the GS-MWCNT@S composite is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of GS and MWCNTs, which provide a 3D conductive network for electron transfer, open channels for ion diffusion, strong confinement of soluble polysulfides, and effective buffer for volume expansion of the S cathode during discharge.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	4642-4649
Number of pages	8
Journal	Nano Letters
Volume	13
Issue number	10
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/nl4016683
Publication status	Published - 9 Oct 2013

Keywords

Lithium-sulfur batteries
carbon nanotube
cathode material
electrochemical performance
graphene
hierarchical architecture

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10.1021/nl4016683

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title = "Graphene-based three-dimensional hierarchical sandwich-type architecture for high-performance Li/S batteries",

abstract = "A multiwalled carbon nanotube/sulfur (MWCNT@S) composite with core-shell structure was successfully embedded into the interlay galleries of graphene sheets (GS) through a facile two-step assembly process. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy images reveal a 3D hierarchical sandwich-type architecture of the composite GS-MWCNT@S. The thickness of the S layer on the MWCNTs is ∼20 nm. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirm that the sulfur in the composite is highly crystalline with a mass loading up to 70% of the composite. This composite is evaluated as a cathode material for Li/S batteries. The GS-MWCNT@S composite exhibits a high initial capacity of 1396 mAh/g at a current density of 0.2C (1C = 1672 mA/g), corresponding to 83% usage of the sulfur active material. Much improved cycling stability and rate capability are achieved for the GS-MWCNT@S composite cathode compared with the composite lacking GS or MWCNT. The superior electrochemical performance of the GS-MWCNT@S composite is mainly attributed to the synergistic effects of GS and MWCNTs, which provide a 3D conductive network for electron transfer, open channels for ion diffusion, strong confinement of soluble polysulfides, and effective buffer for volume expansion of the S cathode during discharge.",

keywords = "Lithium-sulfur batteries, carbon nanotube, cathode material, electrochemical performance, graphene, hierarchical architecture",

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AU - Chen, Junzheng

AU - Tan, Guoqiang

AU - Ye, Yusheng

AU - Amine, Khalil

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Graphene-based three-dimensional hierarchical sandwich-type architecture for high-performance Li/S batteries

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Keywords

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