Graphene functionalized attapulgite/sulfur composite as cathode of lithium–sulfur batteries for energy storage

Abstract Graphene nanosheets (GNs) functionalized attapulgite (ATTP)/sulfur (ATTP@GNs/S) composites were prepared through the melt-diffusion method, and investigated as cathode of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Owing to the strong adsorption capability and sulfur/lithium polysulfides (Li 2 S n ) confinement of the natural ATTP nanofibers and partially reduced GNs, ATTP/S and ATTP@GNs/S exhibit improved electrochemical performance compared to elemental sulfur. The ATTP@GNs/S composite shows an initial discharge capacity of 1143.9 mAh g −1 , and a reversible capacity of ca. 512.0 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles at 0.1C, giving a capacity decay rate of as low as 0.5% per cycle. This research demonstrates the possibility of utilizing ATTP as sulfur host matrix or as cathode additives for enhanced energy storage capability of Li–S batteries.