Integration of Desulfurization and Lithium–Sulfur Batteries Enabled by Amino-Functionalized Porous Carbon Nanofibers

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) 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 (NH2-PLCNFs) are prepared by the amination of electrospinning carbon nanofibers under dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Selective catalytic oxidation of H2S to elemental sulfur (S) is achieved over the metal-free NH2-PLCNFs catalyst, and the obtained composite S@NH2-PLCNFs is further used as cathode in LSBs. NH2-PLCNFs enable efficient desulfurization (removal capacity as high as 3.46 g H2S g−1 catalyst) and strongly covalent stabilization of S on modified carbon nanofibers. LSBs equipped with S@NH2-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@NH2-PLCNFs obtained by this kind of chemical vapor deposition leads to a more homogeneous S distribution and superior electrochemical performance to the sample S/NH2-PLCNF-M prepared by the traditional molten infusion. This work opens a new avenue for the combination of environment protection and energy storage.