Electrostatic self-assembly of graphene oxide wrapped sulfur particles for lithium–sulfur batteries

•Researched graphene oxide wrapped sulfur particles for lithium–sulfur batteries.•New approach for core–shell GO/S composites by electrostatic self-assembly method.•Both core–shell structure and the GO support help to retard the diffusion of polysulfides during the electrochemical cycling process of GO/S cathode.

A novel graphene oxide (GO)/sulfur (S) composite is developed by electrostatic self-assembly method. Remarkably, the core–shell structure of the composite and the GO support helps to retard the diffusion of polysulfides during the electrochemical cycling process. The GO/sulfur cathode presents enhanced cycling ability. Specific discharge capacities up to 494.7 mAh g−1 over 200 cycles at 0.1 C is achieved with enhanced columbic efficiency around 95%, representing a good cathode material for lithium–sulfur batteries.

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