title: Nanospace-confinement copolymerization strategy for encapsulating polymeric sulfur into porous carbon for lithium-sulfur batteries.
abstract: Given their high theoretical energy density, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have recently attracted ever-increasing research interest. However, the dissolution of polysulfides and uncontrolled deposition of insoluble discharge product significantly hinder the cycling stability. Herein, a nanospace-confinement copolymerization strategy for encapsulating polymeric sulfur into porous carbon matrix is presented. The morphologies and sulfur contents of carbon/polymeric sulfur (C/PS) composites could be readily tailored by controlling the copolymerization time. Confining polymeric sulfur in the porous carbon with abundant interparticle pores facilitates rapid electronic/ionic transport and mitigates dissolution of polysulfides intermediates. More importantly, the organic sulfur units dispersed in the insoluble/insulating Li2S2/Li2S phase could prevent its irreversible deposition. Such nanostructure with tailored chemistry property permits the C/PS electrodes to exhibit enhanced cycling stability and high rate capability. The nanospace-confinement copolymerization strategy features general and facial advantages, which may provide new opportunities for the future development of advanced sulfur cathodes.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Guiyin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dou
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technology for Energy Conversion, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaogang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: carbon/polymeric sulfur composites; copolymerization; electrochemistry; lithium−sulfur batteries; nanospace-confinement