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Atomic cobalt as an efficient electrocatalyst in sulfur cathodes for superior room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries

Author

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  • Bin-Wei Zhang

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Tian Sheng

    (Anhui Normal University)

  • Yun-Dan Liu

    (Xiangtan University)

  • Yun-Xiao Wang

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Lei Zhang

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Wei-Hong Lai

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Li Wang

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Jianping Yang

    (Donghua University)

  • Qin-Fen Gu

    (Australian Synchrotron)

  • Shu-Lei Chou

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Hua-Kun Liu

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Shi-Xue Dou

    (University of Wollongong)

Abstract

The low-cost room-temperature sodium-sulfur battery system is arousing extensive interest owing to its promise for large-scale applications. Although significant efforts have been made, resolving low sulfur reaction activity and severe polysulfide dissolution remains challenging. Here, a sulfur host comprised of atomic cobalt-decorated hollow carbon nanospheres is synthesized to enhance sulfur reactivity and to electrocatalytically reduce polysulfide into the final product, sodium sulfide. The constructed sulfur cathode delivers an initial reversible capacity of 1081 mA h g−1 with 64.7% sulfur utilization rate; significantly, the cell retained a high reversible capacity of 508 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 600 cycles. An excellent rate capability is achieved with an average capacity of 220.3 mA h g−1 at the high current density of 5 A g−1. Moreover, the electrocatalytic effects of atomic cobalt are clearly evidenced by operando Raman spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and density functional theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Bin-Wei Zhang & Tian Sheng & Yun-Dan Liu & Yun-Xiao Wang & Lei Zhang & Wei-Hong Lai & Li Wang & Jianping Yang & Qin-Fen Gu & Shu-Lei Chou & Hua-Kun Liu & Shi-Xue Dou, 2018. "Atomic cobalt as an efficient electrocatalyst in sulfur cathodes for superior room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06144-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06144-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuruo Qi & Qing-Jie Li & Yuanke Wu & Shu-juan Bao & Changming Li & Yuming Chen & Guoxiu Wang & Maowen Xu, 2021. "A Fe3N/carbon composite electrocatalyst for effective polysulfides regulation in room-temperature Na-S batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Chao Ye & Huanyu Jin & Jieqiong Shan & Yan Jiao & Huan Li & Qinfen Gu & Kenneth Davey & Haihui Wang & Shi-Zhang Qiao, 2021. "A Mo5N6 electrocatalyst for efficient Na2S electrodeposition in room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.

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