Performance Enhancement of Rechargeable Sulfur Cathode Utilizing Microporous Activated Carbon Composite

Abstract

We prepared activated carbon (AC) and sulfur (S) composite cathodes. The present AC has developed micropores and a large pore volume. The composite could successfully include a large amount of S and exhibited stable cycle performance in a glyme-based electrolyte. An oxidation treatment of the AC with a concentrated nitric acid solution at 120°C was found to improve S utilization in charge-discharge cycling. A cathode with the oxidized AC including S showed stable cycle performance with a high capacity in not only the glyme-based electrolyte but also a carbonate-based electrolyte.