Polyacrylonitrile/graphene composite as a precursor to a sulfur-based cathode material for high-rate rechargeable Li–S batteries

• DOI: 10.1039/c2ee03495f
• Publication Date: 2012-02-29T11:07:04Z
• Authors: Lichao Yin; Jiulin Wang; Fengjiao Lin; Jun Yang; Yanna Nuli
• Keywords: Polyacrylonitrile; In situ polymerization

Polyacrylonitrile/graphene (PAN/GNS) composites have been synthesized via an in situ polymerization method for the first time, which serve as a precursor to prepare cathode material high-rate rechargeable Li–S batteries. It is observed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission (TEM) that PAN nanoparticles, less than 100 nm size, are anchored on surface of GNS this unique structure maintained sulfur composite material. The electrochemical properties pyrolyzed PAN-S/GNS (pPAN-S/GNS) evaluated by cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic discharge–charge cycling impedance spectroscopy. results show pPAN-S/GNS nanocomposite, with content ca. 4 wt.%, exhibits reversible capacity 1500 mA hg−1sulfur or 700 hg−1composite cycle, corresponding utilization 90%. retention relatively stable at 0.1 C. Even up 6 C, competitive 800 obtained. superior performance attributed introduction even structure. materials works three-dimensional (3-D) nano current collector, could act not only electronically conductive matrix, but also framework improve performance.