Carbon/Sulfur Aerogel with Adequate Mesoporous Channels as Robust Polysulfide Confinement Matrix for Highly Stable Lithium-Sulfur Battery.

The ability to restrict the shuttle of lithium polysulfide (LiPSn) and improve the utilization efficiency of sulfur represents an important endeavor toward practical application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Herein, we report the crafting of a robust 3D graphene-wrapped, nitrogen-doped, highly mesoporous carbon/sulfur (G-NHMC/S) hierarchical aerogel as an effective polysulfide confinement matrix for a highly stable Li-S battery. Rich polar sites of NHMC firmly anchor LiPSn on the matrix surface. Porous NHMC provides ample space for accommodating sulfur and cushioning its volume expansion. Moreover, graphene wrapped on NHMC/S not only physically hinders the LiPSn shuttle but also interconnects the isolated NHMC/S, thus increasing electron transfer rate. Taken together, triple confinement of G-NHMC/S aerogel synergistically retains the soluble LiPSn and displays a specific capacity of 1322 mAh g-1 and 1000-cycle life. As such, rationally designed 3D carbon/sulfur aerogel affords a unique platform to impart high energy density and stable electrodes for energy storage devices.