Black phosphorus-modified sulfurized polyacrylonitrile with high C-rate and cycling performance in ether-based electrolyte for lithium sulfur batteries.

Black phosphorus modified sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (BP-SPAN) is reported for the first time for Li–S batteries operated in ether electrolyte. The amorphous P2S5+x in BP-SPAN is crucial to suppress the shuttling effect of polysulfides and enhance the reaction kinetics. It delivers an amazing capacity of 1086 mA h g−1 (2C) and capacity retention of 91.1% (0.1C, 100th).