Premium
Sulfur Encapsulated in a TiO 2 ‐Anchored Hollow Carbon Nanofiber Hybrid Nanostructure for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Author(s) -
Zhang Zhian,
Li Qiang,
Jiang Shaofeng,
Zhang Kai,
Lai Yanqing,
Li Jie
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201404686
Subject(s) - materials science , scanning electron microscope , chemical engineering , nanostructure , composite number , electrochemistry , dielectric spectroscopy , coating , sulfur , nanocomposite , carbon nanofiber , cathode , nanoparticle , lithium (medication) , composite material , nanotechnology , carbon nanotube , electrode , chemistry , metallurgy , medicine , endocrinology , engineering
A hollow carbon nanofiber hybrid nanostructure anchored with titanium dioxide (HCNF@TiO 2 ) was prepared as a matrix for effective trapping of sulfur and polysulfides as a cathode material for Li–S batteries. The synthesized composites were characterized and examined by X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical methods such as galvanostatic charge/discharge, rate performance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. The obtained HCNF@TiO 2 –S composite showed a clear core–shell structure with TiO 2 nanoparticles coating the surface of the HCNF and sulfur homogeneously distributed in the coating layer. The HCNF@TiO 2 –S composite exhibited much better electrochemical performance than the HCNF–S composite, which delivered an initial discharge capacity of 1040 mA h g −1 and maintained 650 mAh g −1 after 200 cycles at a 0.5 C rate. The improvements of electrochemical performances might be attributed to the unique hybrid nanostructure of HCNF@TiO 2 and good dispersion of sulfur in the HCNF@TiO 2 –S composite.