Uncovering the Binder Interactions with S-PAN and MXene for Room Temperature Na–S Batteries
Andrew Jun Yao Wong, Wei Ying Lieu, Deviprasath Chinnadurai, Man‐Fai Ng, Zhi Wei Seh
Abstract
MXenes and sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (S-PAN) are emerging as possible contenders to resolve the polysulfide dissolution and volumetric expansion issues in sodium–sulfur batteries. Herein, we explore the interactions between Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes and S-PAN with traditional binders such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in Na–S batteries for the first time. We hypothesize that the linearity and polarity of the binder significantly influence the dispersion of S-PAN over Ti 3 C 2 T x . The three-dimensional polar CMC binder resulted in better contact surface area with both S-PAN and Ti 3 C 2 T x . Moreover, the improved binding of the discharge products with the CMC binder effectively traps them and prevents unwanted shuttling. Consequently, the Na–S battery using the CMC binder displayed a high initial capacity of 1282 mAh/g (s) at 0.2 C and a low capacity fading of 0.092% per cycle over 300 cycles. This work highlights the importance of understanding MXene-binder interactions in sulfur cathodes.