Three-dimensional nest-like polyaniline coated sulfur/carbon nanotubes by spray-drying and vulcanization for lithium–sulfur battery

Using drying spray and vulcanization process to fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) nest-like shape sulfur/carbon nanotube (S/CNTs) with polyaniline (PANI) coating as active material of cathode materials for Lithium–Sulfur batteries. For this composite has higher specific surface area, cross-linked conductive framework construed PANI coating and CNTs which provide a rapid charge electronic channel and improve REDOX kinetics of sulfur species to enhance the electron and ion rate capability and active material utilization. Vulcanized PANI coating act as an effective lithium sulfide host to restrain polysulfide dissolution and efficiently improve the cycle stability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation confirmed that the electrical conductivity of polyaniline and adsorption of polysulfides was enhanced after vulcanization process. Synergic optimization the parameters of coating thickness, sulfur loading and vulcanization temperature, Under 11 nm of the PANI coating for SPANI@(S/CNTs), when sulfur loading is low (1.16 mg cm −2 ), the optimum vulcanization temperature is 280 °C, When the sulfur loading≥2.3 mg cm −2 , optimal electrochemical performance at a sulfurization temperature of 220 °C.