CuCo 2 S 4 Nanoparticles Embedded in Carbon Nanotube Networks as Sulfur Hosts for High Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Rational design of sulfur hosts for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is essential to address the shuttle effect and accelerate reaction kinetics. Herein, the composites of bimetallic sulfide CuCo 2 S 4 loaded on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are prepared by hydrothermal method. By regulating the loading of CuCo 2 S 4 nanoparticles, it is found that when Cu 2+ and CNT are prepared in a 10:1 ratio, the CuCo 2 S 4 nanoparticles loaded on the CNT are relatively uniformly distributed, avoiding the occurrence of agglomeration, which improves the electrical conductivity and number of active sites. Through a series of electrochemical performance tests, the S/CuCo 2 S 4 -1/CNT presents a discharge specific capacity of 1021 mAh g -1 at 0.2 C after 100 cycles, showing good cycling stability. Even at 1 C, the S/CuCo 2 S 4 -1/CNT cathode delivers a discharge capacity of 627 mAh g -1 after 500 cycles. This study offers a promising strategy for the design of bimetallic sulfide-based sulfur hosts in Li-S batteries.