Effect of commercial activated carbons in sulfur cathodes on the electrochemical properties of lithium/sulfur batteries

• The sulfur/activated carbon composite is fabricated using commercial activated carbons.
• The sulfur/activated carbon composite with coal shows the best performance.
• The Li/S battery has capacities of 1240 mAh g−1 at 1 C and 567 mAh g−1 at 10 C.

We prepared sulfur/active carbon composites via a simple solution-based process using the following commercial activated carbon-based materials: coal, coconut shells, and sawdust. Although elemental sulfur was not detected in any of the sulfur/activated carbon composites based on Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results confirmed its presence in the activated carbon. These results indicate that sulfur was successfully impregnated in the activated carbon and that all of the activated carbons acted as sulfur reservoirs. The sulfur/activated carbon composite cathode using coal exhibited the highest discharge capacity and best rate capability. The first discharge capacity at 1 C (1.672 A g−1) was 1240 mAh g−1, and a large reversible capacity of 567 mAh g−1 was observed at 10 C (16.72 A g−1).

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