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Evolution of Hollow N‐Doped Mesoporous Carbon Microspheres from Outdated Milk as Sulfur Cathodes for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Author(s) -
Luo Rongjie,
Lu Yang,
Hou Xiaoyi,
Yu Qiuhong,
Wu Naiteng,
Peng Tao,
Yan Hailong,
Liu Xianming,
Kim JangKyo,
Luo Yongsong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201703038
Subject(s) - sulfur , polysulfide , materials science , cathode , mesoporous material , carbon fibers , chemical engineering , lithium (medication) , electrode , electrolyte , chemistry , composite number , catalysis , composite material , organic chemistry , metallurgy , medicine , engineering , endocrinology
Li‐sulfur batteries possess many advantages, such as high theoretical capacities, high energy densities, environmental benignity and natural abundance of sulfur with a high theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh⋅g −1 . However, their commercialization has been hindered due to many prevailing issues, including the poor electrical conductivity of sulfur and the high solubility of polysulfide intermediates. We report a facile and scalable, solution‐based spray drying technique to synthesize hollow N‐doped mesoporous carbon microspheres (HNMCMs) with an exceptionally large surface area of 872 m 2 ⋅g −1 using outdated dairy products as carbon source. The novel electrode prepared from a high loading of sulfur accommodated by the HNMCM hosts delivers high initial discharge capacities of 781 and 682 mAh⋅g −1 at 0.5 and 1 C, respectively. It was further obtained that the capability retention can be retained as high as 79.4% at 1 C after 400 cycles. The excellent cyclic stability and rate capability of the HNMCM/S cathode can be ascribed to the large surface area, high electrical conductivity enhanced by the high content of doped nitrogen and unique hollow microsphere structure of HNMCMs.