Lithium-sulfur （Li-S） batteries with intrinsic merits in high theoretical energy density are the most promising candidate as the next-generation power sources. The strategy to achieve a high utilization of active ma...Lithium-sulfur （Li-S） batteries with intrinsic merits in high theoretical energy density are the most promising candidate as the next-generation power sources. The strategy to achieve a high utilization of active materials with high energy efficiency is strongly requested for practical applications with less energy loss during repeated cycling. In this contribution, a metal/nanocarbon layer current collector is proposed to enhance the redox reactions of polysulfides in a working Li-S cell. Such a concept is demon- strated by coating graphene-carbon nanotube hybrids （GNHs） on routine aluminum （AI） foil current collectors. The interracial conductivity and adhesion between the current collector and active material are significantly enhanced. Such novel cell configuration with metal/nanocarbon layer current collectors affords abundant Li ions for rapid redox reactions with small overpotential. Consequently, the Li-S cells with nanostructured current collectors exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 1,113 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C, which is -300 mAh g-1 higher than those without a GNH coating layer. The capacity retention is 73% for cells with GNH after 300 cycles. A reduced voltage hysteresis and a high energy efficiency of ca. 90% are therefore achieved. Moreover, the AI/GNH layer current collectors are easily implanted into current cell assembly process for energy storage devices based on complex multi-electron redox reactions （e.g., Li-S batteries, Li-O2 batteries, fuel cells, and flow batteries）.展开更多
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFA0202500, 2015CB932500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21776019, 21422604)
文摘Lithium-sulfur （Li-S） batteries with intrinsic merits in high theoretical energy density are the most promising candidate as the next-generation power sources. The strategy to achieve a high utilization of active materials with high energy efficiency is strongly requested for practical applications with less energy loss during repeated cycling. In this contribution, a metal/nanocarbon layer current collector is proposed to enhance the redox reactions of polysulfides in a working Li-S cell. Such a concept is demon- strated by coating graphene-carbon nanotube hybrids （GNHs） on routine aluminum （AI） foil current collectors. The interracial conductivity and adhesion between the current collector and active material are significantly enhanced. Such novel cell configuration with metal/nanocarbon layer current collectors affords abundant Li ions for rapid redox reactions with small overpotential. Consequently, the Li-S cells with nanostructured current collectors exhibit an initial discharge capacity of 1,113 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C, which is -300 mAh g-1 higher than those without a GNH coating layer. The capacity retention is 73% for cells with GNH after 300 cycles. A reduced voltage hysteresis and a high energy efficiency of ca. 90% are therefore achieved. Moreover, the AI/GNH layer current collectors are easily implanted into current cell assembly process for energy storage devices based on complex multi-electron redox reactions （e.g., Li-S batteries, Li-O2 batteries, fuel cells, and flow batteries）.
