Exploiting Pulping Waste as an Ecofriendly Multifunctional\nBinder for Lithium Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Lithium\nsulfur (Li–S) batteries have drawn tremendous interest\nowing to high energy density, low cost, and environmental friendliness.\nHowever, the practical application of Li–S batteries is severely\nrestricted by limited cycle life and high self-discharge rate. Here,\nfor the first time, one papermaking waste, calcium lignosulfonate\n(LSCa), is employed as a novel ecofriendly multifunctional binder\nfor Li–S batteries. The LSCa electrode retains a capacity of\n453 mAh g^–1 after 500 cycles at 1C (1C = 1675 mA\ng^–1), and it delivers a high capacity of 571 mAh\ng^–1 even at 5C, the performance of which is much\nbetter than that of conventional PVDF electrode. Furthermore, a preferable\nareal capacity of 4.16 mAh cm^–2 after 100 cycles\nat 0.05C is obtained with a high sulfur loading of 7.64 mg cm^–2. These achievements are ascribed to the better adsorption\nability to polysulfides, more favorable Li⁺ transportation,\nand superior adhesion property of the LSCa, compared to PVDF.