Spatially Interlinked Graphene with Uniformly Loaded Sulfur for High Performance Li-S Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have drawn extensive attentions due to their high energy density, environmental friendliness and low cost. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) graphene/S hybrid (G/S) is prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method together with redox reaction between S-based compound and graphene oxide (GO). G/S has a three dimensional porous structure, where graphene is interconnected with each other forming a 3D conductive network. It demonstrates that the pore structure of G/S can be well controlled by optimizing the drying method of the 3D graphene-based materials. Freeze drying and evaporation-induced drying can induce different density and pore structure of G/S. Electrochemical tests illustrate that the resulting hybrid can deliver a specific capacity of 891 mAh·g−1 and 575 mAh·g−1 for the 1st and 100th cycle at a current density of 500 mAh·g−1.