Tailoring the structure of clew-like carbon skeleton with 2D Co-MOF for advanced Li-S cells

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 469; pp. 404 - 413
• Main Authors: Jin, Wen-Wu, Zou, Ji-Zhao, Zeng, Shao-Zhong, Inguva, Saikumar, Xu, Guo-Zhong, Li, Xiao-Hua, Peng, Miao, Zeng, Xie-Rong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2019
• Subjects: Hybrid materials; Li-S; MOF; Specific surface area; Specific surface area; MOF; Hybrid materials; Li-S
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.11.052

Schematic illustration of the structure for the COB(0.1)-40/S composite and its interaction with polysulfides during the charge/discharge processes of the Li–S battery. [Display omitted] •The correlation between structure and performance of hybrid structure is elucidated.•A new MOF-derived hybrid structure is constructed via a novel strategy.•The metal-organic frameworks of CUK-2 (Co-MOF) is applied to the carbonization field.•The areal mass loading of the hybrid electrode is improved.•This research is crucial to the precise tailoring of the MOF-derived hybrid superstructure. Metal organic frameworks (MOF)-derived carbon materials can realize self-doping of heteroatoms in situ, which can effectively improve the electrocatalytic activity of electrode material, those are therefore considered as ideal cathode materials for Li-S battery. In this context, the clews of polymer nanobelts (CsPNBs) are regarded as sacrificial template materials, and Co-based metal-organic frameworks (Co-MOF) are in-situ growth on the surface of CsPNBs, after carbonization and activation, the Co-doped hybrid materials are obtained. The physicochemical properties of these hybrid materials can be changed by adjusting activation time and by adding some amount of CsPNBs. When evaluated as a cathode for Li-S batteries, the hybrid nano-architecture exhibits high initial capacities of 1300.69 and 1020.6 mAh g−1 at 0.1 and 0.5C, respectively. The enhanced electrochemical performance of the electrode is closely related to the accessible pore structures optimization as well as Co-doping has cobalt and oxygen-containing groups on the surface of the matrix material. With the help of those advantages, the areal mass loading of the electrodes is improved. Overall, a rarely demonstrated study that involves the correlation between structure and performance of the MOF-derived hybrid materials is systematically elucidated in this work. This research study is crucial to the precise tailoring of the growth for the MOF-derived carbon superstructure to meet their demanding challenge as the electrode materials.