Rate performance enhanced Li/S batteries with a Li ion conductive gel-binder

•Rate performance of the battery was significantly enhanced by the gel-binder.•Stability of the Li–S battery was significantly enhanced by the gel-binder.•The gel-binder could decrease the charge transfer resistance of the battery.

A Li ion conductive gel-binder, Li ion-doped 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol-sulfur-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether binder, was employed on the S cathode to enhance the rate performance of the Li/S battery. The reversible capacity of such batteries is 690 mAh g− 1 at a 3 C-rate after 27 cycles, and it reverts to 1020 mAh g− 1 at 0.2 C-rate, which is close to the initial value of 1210 mAh g− 1. Besides, at 0.5 C-rate, the battery with this gel-binder shows a high initial specific capacity of 976 mAh g− 1 and retains a capacity of 560 mAh g− 1 for more than first 500 cycles.

Graphical abstractThe Li ion conductive gel-binder (PS(DCP-PEG)/Li+) efficiently imparts better rate performance to Li/S batteries than the PVDF and CMC. A battery with PS(DCP-PEG)/Li+ showed reversible capacities of 690 mAh g− 1 at 3 C-rate. Further cycling at 0.2 C-rate reinstates a reversible capacity of 1020 mAh g− 1 for the next three cycles, which is close to the initial capacity of 1210 mAh g− 1.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide