Fan Gao

In this work, a modified separator coated with a functional layer of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) anchored by cerium oxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles was developed. The superior conductivity of RGO and chemical immobilization of high-ordered sulfur-related species (mainly Li₂S_n 4 ≤ n ≤ 8) of CeO₂ yielded batteries with enhanced characteristics. A remarkable original capacity of 1136 mAh g⁻¹ was obtained at 0.1 C with capacity retention ratio of 75.7% after 100 charge/discharge cycles. Overall, these data indicate that the separator with CeO₂/RGO composite is promising to suppress the shuttling of polysulfides for better utilization of the active material.

Fabrication of a nanocrystalline zinc oxide (ZnO)/nitrogen-doped graphene (NDG) composite using a novel and facile in situ sol-gel technique is demonstrated in this study. A two-dimensional nanostructured morphology with uniform ZnO nanoparticles (average diameter of 10 ± 4 nm) anchored on NDG nanosheets was observed via electron microscopy. The polar heteroatoms on the graphene sheets provided abundant sites for polysulfide absorption. More importantly, the strong chemical interaction between ZnO and polysulfides efficiently hindered the transport of polysulfides. Consequently, the lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery with the ZnO/NDG composite-coated separator exhibited enhanced performance in terms of discharge capacity and cycling stability compared to the cell with a conventional separator. With the modified separator, the Li/S battery achieved a discharge capacity of 942 mAh·g⁻¹ after the first cycle and exhibited a capacity retention of 90.02% after the 200th charge/discharge test at 0.1 C. These results indicate that suppression of the shuttling of polysulfides efficiently improves the performance of the Li/S battery.

Fabrication of a nanocrystal zinc oxide (ZnO)/nitrogen-doped (N-doped) graphene composite using a novel and facile in situ sol-gel technique is demonstrated. Two-dimensional nanostructure morphology with uniform ZnO nanoparticles (average diameter of 10.25 nm) anchored on N-doped graphene nanosheets was observed via electron microscopy. Because of the polar heteroatoms on the graphene sheets, an abundance sites for polysulfide absorption were provided. More importantly, the strong chemical interaction between ZnO and polysulfides efficiently hindered the transport of polysulfides. Consequently, the lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery with the ZnO/N-doped graphene composite-coated separator delivered enhanced performance in terms of discharge capacity and cycling stability when compared to the cell with a normal separator. With the modified separator, the battery achieved a discharge capacity as high as 942 mAh g^-1 for the first cycle and remained at 90.02 mAh g^-1 after the 100th charge/discharge test at 0.1 C. Results indicate that impeding the shuttling of polysulfides contributes to efficiently improving the behavior of the Li/S battery.

Fabrication of a nanocrystal zinc oxide (ZnO)/nitrogen-doped (N-doped) graphene composite using a novel and facile in situ sol-gel technique is demonstrated. Two-dimensional nanostructure morphology with uniform ZnO nanoparticles (average diameter of 10.25 nm) anchored on N-doped graphene nanosheets was observed via electron microscopy. Because of the polar heteroatoms on the graphene sheets, an abundance sites for polysulfide absorption were provided. More importantly, the strong chemical interaction between ZnO and polysulfides efficiently hindered the transport of polysulfides. Consequently, the lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery with the ZnO/N-doped graphene composite-coated separator delivered enhanced performance in terms of discharge capacity and cycling stability when compared to the cell with a normal separator. With the modified separator, the battery achieved a discharge capacity as high as 942 mAh g^-1 for the first cycle and remained at 90.02 mAh g^-1 after the 100th charge/discharge test at 0.1 C. Results indicate that impeding the shuttling of polysulfides contributes to efficiently improving the behavior of the Li/S battery.