Sway of MnO2 with poly(acrylonitrile) in the sulfur-based electrode for lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur batteries have achieved a vast development in electric vehicles, laptops and portable devices. Sulfur has theoretical specific capacity of 1675 mAh g−1 and high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh kg−1. The sulfur-based cathode material has been prepared by solid-state reaction method. The composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, RAMAN and electrochemical measurements. The as-prepared cathode material exhibits an initial capacity of 1285 mAh g−1 at a scan rate of 0.1 C. The metal oxide MnO2 suppresses the polysulfide shuttle and maintains the capacity of the electrode. The porous nature of polymer matrix could confine the sulfur in the pores to prevent the active material loss.