A simply effective double-coating cathode with MnO2 nanosheets/graphene as functionalized interlayer for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

•An simply effective double-coating cathode is designed for Li-S battery.•This cathode exhibits high capacity and steady cyclability.•MnO2 nanosheets/graphene functionalized interlayer bound soluble polysulfide.•A novelty mechanism is proposed to explain the enhanced performance during cycling

Herein, we report a facile and effective adsorption strategy to improve the performance of Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries. MnO2 nanosheets grown on the surface of highly conductive graphene resulted in a coupled composite bilayer electrode when coated onto a sulfur cathode. In this way, a high initial specific capacity of 1395 mA h g−1 at a rate of 0.5C, a coulombic efficiency approaching 100% and steady cyclic efficiency with a fade rate of 0.3% per cycle from 10 to 100 cycles has been achieved. This hybrid electrode not only shows enhanced electrochemical performance but can also be easily controlled and scaled thereby aiding future commercialization of high-performance Li-S batteries.

Graphical abstractMnO2 nanosheets grown on the surface of highly conductive graphene resulted in a coupled composite bilayer electrode when coated onto a sulfur cathode. In this way, a high initial specific capacity of 1395 mA h g−1 at a rate of 0.5 C, a Coulombic efficiency approaching 100 % and steady cyclic efficiency with a fade rate of 0.3% per cycle from 10 to 100 cycles has been achieved.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide