Graphene-Based Materials with Different Morphologies and Structures as Interlayers for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur batteries have recently attracted great attention as the promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices due to its high theoretical capacity (~1675 mAh g-1), environmentally friendly, and natural abundance. However, the practical application of LSBs is still hindered by the shuttle of soluble lithium polysulfides (LPSs) and low conductivity of sulfur itself causing the poor electrochemical performance and poor cycling stability. In this work, graphene-based interlayers with different morphologies and structures were introduced to trap LPSs and reduce the shuttle effect. The LSB using 3D N-doped reduced graphene oxide aerogel interlayer exhibits the highest specific capacities of 1236.0, 1037.5, 979.7, 835.0, and 345.4 mAh g-1 at the applied current densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0C, respectively which is higher than other graphene-related interlayers. The synergistic effect between N-doping and 3D frameworks can suppress the LPSs via both chemical adsorption interaction and physical confinement as well as increase the electrical conductivity of the entire electrode.