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Graphene sheet-encased silica/sulfur composite cathode for improved cyclability of lithium-sulfur batteries

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Abstract

The “shuttle effect” of polysulfides is a serious issue, resulting in a decrease in the life-cycle of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. To inhibit the shuttle effect, a combination of graphene oxide and silica has been adopted in this work. Here, two different ratios of sulfur/silicon dioxide/partially reduced graphene oxide (S/SiO2/prGO - 70:20:10 and 70:10:20) composite materials were prepared via a melt diffusion method and were used as a cathode for a Li-S battery. The wrinkled sheets of partially reduced graphene oxide not only provide a conductive network for electron transport, but also ease the volume changes of active material during cycling. The 20 wt% of prGO present in the S/SiO2/prGO cathode delivers initial discharge capacity of 783 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and remains at 491 mAh g−1 over 300 cycles, with low capacity decay rate of 0.12% per cycle. The better electrochemical performance indicates that the electrode containing 20 wt% of prGO with silica effectively suppresses the “shuttle effect” of polysulfide dissolution.

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Acknowledgements

All the authors from Alagappa University acknowledge the financial support by DST-SERB, New Delhi under the physical sciences grant award number EMR/2016/006302. Also, all the authors gratefully acknowledge the extension of the use of analytical facilities in the Department of Physics, Alagappa University, under the PURSE and FIST programme, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Special Assistance Programme (SAP) sponsored by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, Govt. of India, and Ministry of Human Resource Development RUSA–Phase 2.0 grant award number Lt.No.F-24-51/2014 U Policy (TNMulti Gen), Dept. of Education, Govt. of India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. #120, Energy Materials Lab, Department of Physics, Science Block, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, 630 003, India

    P. Rajkumar, K. Diwakar, R. Subadevi & M. Sivakumar

  2. Department of Chemistry & Research Institute, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu, 603203, India

    R. M. Gnanamuthu

  3. Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Fu-Ming Wang

  4. Department of Chemical Engineering, R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Research Center for Circular Economy, Chung-Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, 32023, Taiwan

    Wei-Ren Liu

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  1. P. Rajkumar
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  2. K. Diwakar
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  3. R. Subadevi
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  4. R. M. Gnanamuthu
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  5. Fu-Ming Wang
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Correspondence to R. Subadevi or M. Sivakumar.

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Highlights

1. Graphene sheets wrapped sulfur/SiO2 composite were prepared in two different ratios by melt diffusion.

2. The combined effect of prGO and SiO2 is able to suppress shuttling using physical and chemical adsorption.

3. A small amount of polysulfide was retained through the oxygen functional group of prGO sheets.

4. The 20wt% prGO-based sulfur/SiO2 composite exhibits 783 and 491 mAh g−1at the initial and 300th cycle, respectively.

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Rajkumar, P., Diwakar, K., Subadevi, R. et al. Graphene sheet-encased silica/sulfur composite cathode for improved cyclability of lithium-sulfur batteries. J Solid State Electrochem 25, 939–948 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-020-04747-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-020-04747-3

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