The preparation of nano-sulfur/MWCNTs and its electrochemical performance

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2010-11, Vol.55 (27), p.8062-8066
• Main Authors: Jia-jia, Chen, Xin, Jia, Qiu-jie, She, Chong, Wang, Qian, Zhang, Ming-sen, Zheng, Quan-feng, Dong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Battery; Carbon; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electric batteries; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Lithium–sulfur battery; Modified MWCNTs; Nano-sulfur/MWCNTs composite; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterial; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Solvents; Sulfur; Sulfur-fixed matrix
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2010.01.069

In this work, a novel nano-sulfur/MWCNTs composite with modified multi-wall carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs) as sulfur-fixed matrix for Li/S battery is reported. Based on different solubility of sulfur in different solvents, nano-sulfur/MWCNTs composite was prepared by solvents exchange method. The composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The modified MWCNTs are considered that not only acts as a conducting material, but also a matrix for sulfur. The electrochemical performance of the nano-sulfur/MWCNTs composite was tested. The results indicated that nano-sulfur/MWCNTs composite had the specific capacity of 1380 mAh g −1, 1326 mAh g −1 and 1210 mAh g −1 in the initial cycle at 100 mA g −1, 200 mA g −1 and 300 mAh g −1 discharge rates respectively, and remained a reversible capacity of 1020 mAh g −1, 870 mAh g −1 and 810 mAh g −1 after 30 cycles. The electrochemical performances confirm that the modified MWCNTs as sulfur-fixed matrix show better ability than any other carbon in cathode of Li/S batteries that had been reported.