From filter paper to carbon paper and toward Li-S battery interlayer

The carbon paper is synthesized by the simple, cheap and large-scale pyrolysis of filter paper and is used as an interlayer for Li-S battery. The as-prepared carbon paper is composed of carbon fiber with porous structure. The specific surface area is 534 m(2) g(-1), and the average pore size is 4.1 nm. The porosity of the as-prepared carbon paper lies in favor of the electrolyte permeating through the layer, which allows electrochemical reactions to occur. The prepared carbon paper is used as an interlayer between the cathode and the separator in Li-S battery and can significantly improve the electrochemical performance of the cell with reversible capacity, cycling ability, and rate capability. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.