Enhanced performance of lithium-sulfur batteries with high sulfur loading utilizing ion selective MWCNT/SPANI modified separator

Lu Shi, Fanglei Zeng, Xing Cheng, Kwok Ho Lam, Weikun Wang, Anbang Wang, Zhaoqing Jin, Feng Wu, Yusheng Yang

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

71 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery has attracted remarkable attention owing to its high theoretical energy density. However, its commercialization is still hampered by the rapid capacity degradation which mainly originates from the polysulfides shuttle between the anode and cathode. In this paper, a functional multiwall carbon nanotube/sulfonated polyaniline (MWCNT/SPANI) modified separator is designed to enhance the electrochemical performance of the Li-S batteries with high sulfur loading. The MWCNT/SPANI-coated separator is highly permselective to Li+but rejects the transportation of polysulfide anions. Besides, the MWCNT/SPANI coating can also work as an upper current collector and provides channels for electron and ion transport to enhance the sulfur utilization and ensure the reactivation of trapped active materials. With the ion selective MWCNT/SPANI-coated separator, the electrochemical performance of the Li-S batteries based on cathodes with high sulfur loading (5 mg cm−2) and high sulfur content (72 wt%) has been significantly improved. It delivers a reversible capacity of 913 mA h g−1at the current density of 100 mA g−1after 100 cycles, much higher than that of the cells with pristine Celgard separator. Hence, the ion selective MWCNT/SPANI modified separator is promising for developing high-performance Li-S batteries employing cathodes with high sulfur loading and high sulfur content.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)305-312
Number of pages8
JournalChemical Engineering Journal
Volume334
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2018

Keywords

  • High sulfur loading
  • Ion selective
  • Lithium-sulfur battery
  • Multiwall carbon nanotube/sulfonated polyaniline-coated separator
  • Polysulfides shuttle
  • –SO groups 3 −

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enhanced performance of lithium-sulfur batteries with high sulfur loading utilizing ion selective MWCNT/SPANI modified separator'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this