3D porous carbon nanofibers with CeO2-decorated as cathode matrix for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Abstract

The reasonable design of the cathode host material is of great significance for achieving high-efficiency sulfur electrochemistry and increasing the energy density of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, a uniformly CeO2 doped three-dimensional porous nitrogen-rich carbon nanofiber (CeO2@CNF) is prepared as an advanced sulfur electrode matrix. Carbon nanofibers with good electrical conductivity and abundant pores can effectively store sulfur and inhibit the shuttle of polysulfides by double physicochemical sulfur coordination. In addition, electrocatalytically active CeO2 nanocrystals significantly promote stable redox activity. The prepared sulfur electrode achieves a high area capacity of 8.4 mAh cm−2, a high rate capacity of up to 2 C and an excellent cycle capacity of over 400 cycles.