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<p>Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are widely regarded as a promising next-generation energy storage technology owing to their exceptionally high theoretical energy density and the natural abundance of sulfur. However, their practical deployment remains severely hindered by intrinsic challenges, including the poor electrical conductivity of sulfur and its discharge products, pronounced volume expansion during cycling, sluggish redox kinetics, and the persistent shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). In recent years, carbon nanotube (CNT)–based cathode materials have emerged as a powerful platform to address these limitations due to their one-dimensional (1D) conductive architecture, high mechanical properties, tunable surface chemistry, and ability to form hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) networks. This review provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of CNT-based cathode materials for LSBs, systematically correlating material design strategies with electrochemical performance metrics. We classify CNT-based systems into pristine CNT hosts, functionalized and heteroatom-doped CNTs, and CNT-based hybrid composites incorporating metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, and single-atom catalytic sites. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating the distinct roles of CNTs in enhancing sulfur utilization, immobilizing LiPSs through chemical anchoring, and accelerating sulfur redox kinetics via electrocatalytic pathways. Recent advances in CNT frameworks, defect engineering, and catalytic interface design that enable high sulfur loading, fast charge–discharge capability, and extended cycling stability are critically discussed. Finally, key challenges associated with CNT-based cathodes, including scalability, material density, and operation under practical conditions, are highlighted, and future research directions are proposed with a focus on bridging laboratory-scale performance and real-world implementation. This review aims to provide fundamental insights and practical guidance for the rational design of advanced CNT-enabled cathodes for high-performance, commercially viable Li–S batteries. Beyond electrochemical energy storage, carbon nanotubes also play an increasingly important role in photocatalytic hydrogen production, where their high electrical conductivity and extended π-conjugation enable efficient charge separation and rapid electron transport. When integrated with semiconductor photocatalysts, CNTs function as electron reservoirs and conductive bridges, suppressing charge recombination and substantially enhancing solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency.</p>

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Carbon nanotubes in lithium–sulfur batteries and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution: from conductive hosts to catalytic interfaces

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月9日

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  • Chandra Sekhar Bongu,
  • Sehar Tasleem,
  • Mohan Raj Krishnan,
  • Edreese Alsharaeh

摘要

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are widely regarded as a promising next-generation energy storage technology owing to their exceptionally high theoretical energy density and the natural abundance of sulfur. However, their practical deployment remains severely hindered by intrinsic challenges, including the poor electrical conductivity of sulfur and its discharge products, pronounced volume expansion during cycling, sluggish redox kinetics, and the persistent shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). In recent years, carbon nanotube (CNT)–based cathode materials have emerged as a powerful platform to address these limitations due to their one-dimensional (1D) conductive architecture, high mechanical properties, tunable surface chemistry, and ability to form hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) networks. This review provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of CNT-based cathode materials for LSBs, systematically correlating material design strategies with electrochemical performance metrics. We classify CNT-based systems into pristine CNT hosts, functionalized and heteroatom-doped CNTs, and CNT-based hybrid composites incorporating metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, and single-atom catalytic sites. Particular emphasis is placed on elucidating the distinct roles of CNTs in enhancing sulfur utilization, immobilizing LiPSs through chemical anchoring, and accelerating sulfur redox kinetics via electrocatalytic pathways. Recent advances in CNT frameworks, defect engineering, and catalytic interface design that enable high sulfur loading, fast charge–discharge capability, and extended cycling stability are critically discussed. Finally, key challenges associated with CNT-based cathodes, including scalability, material density, and operation under practical conditions, are highlighted, and future research directions are proposed with a focus on bridging laboratory-scale performance and real-world implementation. This review aims to provide fundamental insights and practical guidance for the rational design of advanced CNT-enabled cathodes for high-performance, commercially viable Li–S batteries. Beyond electrochemical energy storage, carbon nanotubes also play an increasingly important role in photocatalytic hydrogen production, where their high electrical conductivity and extended π-conjugation enable efficient charge separation and rapid electron transport. When integrated with semiconductor photocatalysts, CNTs function as electron reservoirs and conductive bridges, suppressing charge recombination and substantially enhancing solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency.