Boosting the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries by using a carbon black/LiMn2O4-modified separator

Abstract The large-scale applications of lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries have been limited by their rapid capacity loss, which can be attributed to the dissolution of polysulfide intermediates and subsequent irreversible shuttling effect. Several strategies have been attempted to solve these problems by designing novel cell structure, including the modification of separator. Herein, we have developed a new carbon black/LiMn2O4-modified separator for boosting the electrochemical performance of the Li–S batteries. The carbon black (Super P, for short SP) conductive layer plays the roles as an extra current collector for improving the utilization of active materials and a physical obstruction for restraining the diffusion of polysulfide intermediates. The LiMn2O4 (LMO) nanoparticles can chemically adsorb polysulfide intermediates and act as a fast channel for Li ions transportation. The as-prepared Li–S batteries with SP/LMO separators have delivered the discharge capacity of 1378.3 mAh g−1 for the initial cycle at 0.05 C and 618.7 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at 0.5 C. The Li–S batteries also possess excellent rate performance and stability, retaining a discharge capacity of 427.1 mAh g−1 even under a high current density of 2 C.