Particle Size Control Influence on the Electrochemical Properties of Sulfur Deposited on Metal Organic Frameworks Host Electrodes

Metal organic frameworks (MOF)-808@sulfur composite electrode materials were prepared by hydrothermal reaction with using organic ligands and metal ions. We tried to find the optimum particle size to obtain the enhanced electrochemical performance to be used as an electrode for lithium sulfur batteries. Various particle sizes (20 nm ~ 700 nm) and shapes were successfully prepared by different amounts of modulator and solvent for preparation of MOF-808. Four kinds of substances were analyzed for composition and electrochemical analysis. Electrochemical characterizations were also conducted by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. As a result, MOF-808@S(20), with a particle size of about 180 nm, exhibited the best redox reaction, providing the highest initial specific capacity of 999.4 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1. Based on this study, we explain the possibility of commercialization of MOF-808 composite as an electrode material of lithium sulfur batteries, which has advantages of stable host electrode structure and facile particle size control.