A Binder Free and High Sulfur Loaded Three-Dimensional Carbon Nanotubes Electrode for High Performance Li-S Batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable Li-S batteries represent advanced battery system offering high energy density with low cost cathode material compared to currently available Li-ion batteries. The critical limitations are mainly associated with the insulating nature of sulfur (5 x 10-30 S/m), and shuttle effect involving polysulfides (Li2Sx; 26mg/cm2). Here, we develop a simple and facile binder free approach to increase the sulfur loading amount from ~3mg/cm2 (~40wt.% S) to ~9mg/cm2 (~60wt.%S) in three-dimensional carbon nanotubes (3D CNTs). The parameters influencing cathode performance were investigated and provide a detail electrochemical analysis for improving the performance of Li-S batteries.