Polyaniline-grafted hydrolysed polyethylene as a dual functional interlayer/separator for high-performance Li–S@C core–shell batteries

Abstract

A modified hydrolysed polyethylene with polyaniline was used as a dual functional interlayer/separator for high-performance lithium–sulphur batteries (LSBs) to reduce the migration of soluble polysulphide intermediates. Also, the sulphur cathode was encapsulated with carbon nanoparticles with a S@C core–shell structure using a solvent-free coating process. The chemical interaction between the imine group of the quinoid ring in the PANI structure and the polysulphides reducing the shuttle effect as well as the high electrical conductivity and less volume change of the carbon encapsulated sulphur can provide high-performance Li–S@C core–shell batteries.