One-step electrochemical exfoliation-deposition of MnO2 anchoring on graphite nanosheets as an effective host material for high-performance sulfur cathode

• Published in: Ionics Vol. 26; no. 10; pp. 5279 - 5286
• Main Authors: Chen, Fang, Zhan, Linqian, Zhang, Songqing, Liang, Zhongxin, Fan, Xuliang, Ma, Lin, Zhou, Xiaosong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anchoring; Cathodes; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Deposition; Discharge; Electrical resistivity; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Exfoliation; Flux density; Graphite; Lithium; Lithium sulfur batteries; Lithium-ion batteries; Low conductivity; Manganese dioxide; Nanosheets; Optical and Electronic Materials; Polysulfides; Rechargeable batteries; Renewable and Green Energy; Short Communication; Strong interactions (field theory); Sulfur; Electrochemical exfoliation-deposition; Nanocomposite; Sulfur cathode; Carbon materials; Polar MnO
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-020-03737-9

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery with high energy density is a promising substitute for the conventional lithium-ion battery. However, the application of Li-S battery is limited by the low conductivity of sulfur and the diffusion of soluble intermediate polysulfide. To solve this issue, we have successfully prepared a graphite nanosheet/manganese dioxide (GN/MnO 2 ) composite as the sulfur host material by a one-step electrochemical exfoliation-deposition method. Combined with the high electrical conductivity of GN and the strong interaction between MnO 2 and polysulfide, the derived GN/MnO 2 /S cathode could exhibit superior electrochemical performance and high stability during the charge-discharge process. Even after 250 cycles, the GN/MnO 2 /S composite remained a stable discharge capacity of 493.5 mAh/g with the capacity retention of 68.5%.