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Flexible VO x Nanosphere@SWCNT Hybrid Films with Dual‐Confinement Function of Polysulfides for High‐Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Author(s) -
Zhang Miao,
Yang Yang,
Zhang Xinghua,
Cheng Meng,
Yuan Hongxin,
Amin Kamran,
Ahmad Aziz,
Mao Lijuan,
Yan Wei,
Wei Zhixiang
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201800766
Subject(s) - materials science , cathode , composite number , sulfur , conductivity , chemical engineering , lithium (medication) , electrode , nanotechnology , carbon nanotube , hydrothermal circulation , carbon fibers , composite material , medicine , chemistry , engineering , metallurgy , endocrinology
With the rapid development of flexible electronics, a binder‐free, flexible sulfur composite material is required to fabricate a cathode for high energy density lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Here, a facile hydrothermal method is reported to control the synthesis of VO x hollow nanospheres (VHS) of different sizes. The sulfur‐loaded VHSs are further mixed with single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to obtain a flexible binder‐free composite. SWCNTs intertwine around the VO x nanospheres and form an interconnective network to provide conductivity and structural integrity, whereas the small VO x nanospheres offer strong confinement and excellent adsorption ability for polysulfides, thus yielding good cyclability. Results illustrate that VHS with diameters of ≈200 nm (VHS‐200) show an outstanding capacity of 1069 mAh g −1 at 1 C, which is higher than that of VHS with diameters of ≈400 and 900 nm (VHS‐400 and VHS‐900). Notably, the electrode shows rate performance of 614 mAh g −1 at a high current rate of 20 C. Finally, the assembled flexible Li–S batteries show good bending and cycling stabilities in various bending angles, which is promising for potential applications in flexible electronics.