Skeleton of PVDF-HFP/PEO for high-performance lithium-sulfur battery cathode

The rational design of electrodes for lithium-sulfur batteries has been a focal point of research. In this study, an organic three-dimensional skeleton is designed based on the Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and polyethylene oxide (PEO). The skeleton of PVDF-HFP/PEO (SPHP) not only enhances the mechanical properties of the electrode, but also provides additional attachment points for the active material through the intertwined network structure formed by PVDF-HFP and PEO. Additionally, the amorphous PEO plays a role in ion transport, making the skeleton one of the lithium-ion transport pathways and mitigating lithium polysulfide shuttle effects. After 250 cycles, a SPHP@S coin cell demonstrates reduced internal resistance, an 85 % capacity retention, and a discharge specific capacity consistently exceeding 1000 mAh g- 1, even performs excellent under high-load and high-rate conditions. This work provides a novel approach to the structural design of lithium-sulfur cathodes, offering potential assistance in the research of semi-solid/solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries in the future.