Sulfur in hierarchically pore-structured carbon pillars as cathode material for lithium–sulfur batteries

Hierarchically pore-structured carbon (HPC) pillars with a high surface area and large pore volume are obtained by pyrolyzing Al-based porous coordination polymers (Al-PCP) and used as a matrix of the sulfur for lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. The structure and electrochemical performance of the sulfur-impregnated HPC are characterized. The improved performance of the composite is ascribed to the unique porous structure of the HPC matrix and its strong interaction with sulfur.

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► Hierarchically pore-structured carbon pillars (HPC) is prepared by directly pyrolyzing Al-based porous coordination polymers (Al-PCP).
► Evidences for the location of sulfur in the HPC and the interaction between S and C are provided.
► This HPC/S composite shows good electrochemical performances as cathode of lithium–sulfur batteries.