Co,N-co-doped graphene sheet as a sulfur host for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

To improve the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries, herein, based on the idea of designing a material that can adsorb polysulfides and improve the reaction kinetics, a Co,N-co-doped graphene composite (Co–N–G) was prepared. According to the characterization of Co–N–G, there was a homogeneous and dispersed distribution of N and Co active sites embedded in the Co–N–G sample. The 2D sheet-like microstructure and Co, N with a strong binding energy provided significant physical and chemical adsorption functions, which are conducive to the bonding S and suppression of LiPSs. Moreover, the dispersed Co and N as catalysts promoted the reaction kinetics in Li–S batteries via the reutilization of LiPSs and reduced the electrochemical resistance. Thus, the discharge specific capacity in the first cycle for the Co–N–G/S battery reached 1255.7 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.2C. After 100 cycles, it could still reach 803.0 mA h g⁻¹, with a retention rate of about 64%. This phenomenon proves that this type of Co–N–G composite with Co and N catalysts plays an effective role in improving the performance of batteries and can be further studied in Li–S batteries.