Effective ion pathways and 3D conductive carbon networks in bentonite host enable stable and high-rate lithium–sulfur batteries

• Published in: Nanotechnology reviews (Berlin) Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 20 - 33
• Main Authors: Wu, Lian, Dai, Yongqiang, Zeng, Wei, Huang, Jintao, Liao, Bing, Pang, Hao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 01.03.2021; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Bentonite; Carbon; cathode materials; Cathodes; Charge transfer; Computer architecture; conductive carbon networks; Conductivity; Electron transport; Interlayers; Ion transport; Ion transport pathways; Lithium; Lithium ions; Lithium sulfur batteries; Performance enhancement; Rechargeable batteries; Sulfur
• ISSN: 2191-9097; 2191-9089; 2191-9097
• DOI: 10.1515/ntrev-2021-0005

Fast charge transfer and lithium-ion transport in the electrodes are necessary for high performance Li–S batteries. Herein, a N-doped carbon-coated intercalated-bentonite (Bent@C) with interlamellar ion path and 3D conductive network architecture is designed to improve the performance of Li–S batteries by expediting ion/electron transport in the cathode. The interlamellar ion pathways are constructed through inorganic/organic intercalation of bentonite. The 3D conductive networks consist of N-doped carbon, both in the interlayer and on the surface of the modified bentonite. Benefiting from the unique structure of the Bent@C, the S/Bent@C cathode exhibits a high initial capacity of 1,361 mA h g at 0.2C and achieves a high reversible capacity of 618.1 m Ah g at 2C after 500 cycles with a sulfur loading of 2 mg cm . Moreover, with a higher sulfur loading of 3.0 mg cm , the cathode still delivers a reversible capacity of 560.2 mA h g at 0.1C after 100 cycles.