Abstract
Composite materials with a stable network structure consisting of natural sepiolite (Sp) powders (both sieved sepiolite and post-treated sepiolite), sulfur(S), and conductive polymer Polyaniline (PAni) have been successfully synthesized using a simple heat treatment. The morphology of composites illustrates that the sepiolite is composed of many needle-like fibrous clusters. The initial discharge capacity of the post-treated sepiolite/sulfur/PAni composite is about 1230 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C, and it remains at 826 mA h g−1 even after 40 cycles with the corresponding coulombic efficiency above 97%. Such performance is attributed to the specific porous structure, outstanding adsorption characteristics, and excellent ion exchange capability of sepiolite, as well as the excellent conductivity of PAni. In addition, the PAni coating has a pinning effect on sulfur, which influences the consumption of the active mass and enhances the cycling constancy and the coulombic efficiency of the composite material at elevated current rates.
Highlights
Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one of the remarkable power sources for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices
The Si element is ascribed to sepiolite, while the element O and C due to polyaniline (PAni)
The results demonstrate that PAni has been successfully deposited on the composite material
Summary
Rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one of the remarkable power sources for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. Sepiolite is a hydrated magnesium silicate clay mineral with layered chain structure and it portrays fibrous morphology It could be an excellent matrix and absorbing material for Li–S batteries due to its large pore volume and ion transmission channel. It enables good conversion efficiency of active material due to the strong adsorption of sepiolite and polysulfides. The polymer matrix, clay mineral sepiolite, and nano structured sulfur allows for the reversible deposition of transitional polysulfide species during discharge, and their ensuing conversion during recharge within the polymer matrix, as well as an investigation of its physical and electrochemical properties as a cathode for lithium rechargeable batteries
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