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Research Article

A hybrid carbon aerogel with both aligned and interconnected pores as interlayer for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries

Mingkai Liu1,2, Zhibin Yang2, Hao Sun2, Chao Lai1, Xinsheng Zhao3, Huisheng Peng2( ), Tianxi Liu1,4( )
School of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Synthetic Chemistry for Functional MaterialsJiangsu Normal UniversityXuzhou221116China
State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of PolymersDepartment of Macromolecular Science and Laboratory of Advanced MaterialsFudan UniversityShanghai200438China
School of Physics and Electronic EngineeringJiangsu Normal UniversityXuzhou221116China
State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer MaterialsCollege of Materials Science and EngineeringDonghua UniversityShanghai201620China
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Abstract

The soluble nature of polysulfide species created on the sulfur electrode has severely hampered the electrochemical performance of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Trapping and anchoring polysulfides are promising approaches for overcoming this issue. In this work, a mechanically robust, electrically conductive hybrid carbon aerogel (HCA) with aligned and interconnected pores was created and investigated as an interlayer for Li–S batteries. The hierarchical cross-linked networks constructed by graphene sheets and carbon nanotubes can act as an "internet" to capture the polysulfide, while the microand nano-pores inside the aerogel can facilitate quick penetration of the electrolyte and rapid transport of lithium ions. As advantages of the unique structure and excellent accommodation of the volume change of the active materials, a high specific capacity of 1, 309 mAh·g-1 at 0.2 C was achieved for the assembled Li–S battery, coupled with good rate performance and long-term cycling stability (78% capacity retention after 600 cycles at 4 C).

Keywords

lithium–sulfur batterycarbon aerogelinterlayeraligned and interconnected porestrapped polysulfide

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Nano Research
Volume 9 Issue 12,
December 2016
Pages 3735-3746
DOI: 10.1007/s12274-016-1244-1
Cite this article:
Liu M, Yang Z, Sun H, et al. A hybrid carbon aerogel with both aligned and interconnected pores as interlayer for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries. Nano Research, 2016, 9(12): 3735-3746. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-016-1244-1

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Received: 23 June 2016
Revised: 29 July 2016
Accepted: 02 August 2016
Published: 13 September 2016
© Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016
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