Hydrothermal Carbon Nanosphere (CNS) Based CNS/S Composite as a Cathode Material for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Hydrothermal carbon nanospheres (CNSs) were incorporated into S/CNS composites as the cathode materials for rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The particle sizes of the CNS ranged from 160 similar to 230 nm. The S/CNS composite was prepared by the solution-based processing technique. Homogenous mixing generated S/CNS composites in which the carbon materials successfully enfolded the sulfur particles; thus, the electrical conductivity of sulfur was improved. An electrical conductivity of 6.8 S m(-1) at 129 MPa and the highest discharge capacity of 672.6 mAh g(-1) for the initial cycle were achieved with S/CNS composite prepared with 0.5 M glucose followed by carbonization at 800 degrees C.