Integration of Desulfurization and Lithium–Sulfur Batteries Enabled by Amino‐Functionalized Porous Carbon Nanofibers
Minghui Sun, Xuzhen Wang, Yong Li, Zongbin Zhao, Jieshan Qiu
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an industrial exhausted gas that is highly toxic to humans and the environment. Combining desulfurization and fabrication of cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) can solve this issue with a double benefit. Herein, the amino‐functionalized lotus root‐like carbon nanofibers (NH 2 ‐PLCNFs) are prepared by the amination of electrospinning carbon nanofibers under dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Selective catalytic oxidation of H 2 S to elemental sulfur (S) is achieved over the metal‐free NH 2 ‐PLCNFs catalyst, and the obtained composite S@NH 2 ‐PLCNFs is further used as cathode in LSBs. NH 2 ‐PLCNFs enable efficient desulfurization (removal capacity as high as 3.46 g H 2 S g −1 catalyst) and strongly covalent stabilization of S on modified carbon nanofibers. LSBs equipped with S@NH 2 ‐PLCNFs deliver a high specific capacity of 705.8 mA h g −1 at 1 C after 1000 cycles based on the spatial confinement and the covalent stabilization of electroactive materials on amino‐functionalized porous carbon matrix. It is revealed that S@NH 2 ‐PLCNFs obtained by this kind of chemical vapor deposition leads to a more homogeneous S distribution and superior electrochemical performance to the sample S/NH 2 ‐PLCNF‐M prepared by the traditional molten infusion. This work opens a new avenue for the combination of environment protection and energy storage.