Lithium–sulfur(Li–S)batteries are promisingcandidates for next-generation energy storagegiven their high energy density and potential low cost.Chemically activated carbon(CAC)is often used fortheir cathodes,because ...Lithium–sulfur(Li–S)batteries are promisingcandidates for next-generation energy storagegiven their high energy density and potential low cost.Chemically activated carbon(CAC)is often used fortheir cathodes,because it has a high specific surfacearea for sulfur loading.We have developed a pressurizedphysical activation(PPA)method that producedan activated carbon(PPAC)with a high specific surfacearea comparable to that of CAC.The pore structure of PPAC could be changed and its use as a cathode material for Li–Sbatteries was investigated.Battery tests at different capacity rates(C-rates)showed that it had a much improved high-rate performancewith a discharge capacity of 900 mAh/(g of sulfur)at 1 C,in contrast to only 600 mAh/(g of sulfur)for CAC.Porestructure analyses showed that PPAC prepared at a high activation temperature(1000℃)had unusual channel-like mesoporesbetween the microdomains that are the basic structural units of artificial carbon materials.These are connected to microporesdeveloped in each microdomain,and deliver ions from the surroundings to the internal pores and vice versa.The well-developedmicropores and mesopores of PPAC respectively ensured the high adsorption of lithium polysulfides and a high rate ofion diffusion.Compared to CAC,PPAC is a high-performance,low-cost cathode material that is promising for use in futureLi–S batteries.展开更多
文摘Lithium–sulfur(Li–S)batteries are promisingcandidates for next-generation energy storagegiven their high energy density and potential low cost.Chemically activated carbon(CAC)is often used fortheir cathodes,because it has a high specific surfacearea for sulfur loading.We have developed a pressurizedphysical activation(PPA)method that producedan activated carbon(PPAC)with a high specific surfacearea comparable to that of CAC.The pore structure of PPAC could be changed and its use as a cathode material for Li–Sbatteries was investigated.Battery tests at different capacity rates(C-rates)showed that it had a much improved high-rate performancewith a discharge capacity of 900 mAh/(g of sulfur)at 1 C,in contrast to only 600 mAh/(g of sulfur)for CAC.Porestructure analyses showed that PPAC prepared at a high activation temperature(1000℃)had unusual channel-like mesoporesbetween the microdomains that are the basic structural units of artificial carbon materials.These are connected to microporesdeveloped in each microdomain,and deliver ions from the surroundings to the internal pores and vice versa.The well-developedmicropores and mesopores of PPAC respectively ensured the high adsorption of lithium polysulfides and a high rate ofion diffusion.Compared to CAC,PPAC is a high-performance,low-cost cathode material that is promising for use in futureLi–S batteries.
