LI2S-Carbon Nanocomposites

With the popularity of portable electronic devices and the promotion of electric vehicles, the requirements for energy storage devices are improving. Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) battery is considered as one of the next generation batteries to replace lithium-ion battery due to its high theoretical specific capacity and high energy density. Lithium sulfide (Li2S) is selected as a potential cathode material for Li–S batteries because it can be paired with anodes without metallic lithium, which effectively circumvent volume expansion during sulfur reduction reaction and avoid the safety problems caused by lithium dendrites. However, the application of Li2S cathode is hindered by its electrical and lithium-ion insulation, high activation potential and shuttle effect in electrochemical reaction. Rational designing and construction of Li2S-carbon nanocomposites has been proved to effectively alleviate the above problems. Therefore, this chapter reviews Li2S cathode with Li2S-carbon nanocomposite structure from aspects of preparation method, reducing activation potential and inhibiting shuttle effect.