Protecting lithium anode with LiNO3/Al2O3/PVDF-coated separator for lithium-sulfur batteries

A modified separator with LiNO3/Al2O3/PVDF coating has been prepared to protect lithium anode and enhance the cycle performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The functional coating directly contacted with lithium, and the LiNO3 absorbed in Al2O3 nano particles was released slowly, offering a durable protection to lithium. The initial discharge capacity of the cell assembled with the LiNO3/Al2O3/PVDF-coated separator is 1283 mAh·g−1 at 200 mA g−1, and after 100 cycles, the discharge capacity still remains at 712 mAh·g−1, which is higher than those of the cells assembled with Al2O3/PVDF-coated separator and routine separator.