Polymer Derived Carbon-Host Materials

Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries hold immense promise for surpassing the energy densities of conventional Li-ion battery technologies. However, the inherent low electronic conductivity of sulfur and polysulfides necessitates the utilization of a conductive host material. Addressing this challenge, the development of advanced sulfur hosts is pivotal for practical applications of Li–S batteries. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in polymer-derived carbon hosts, which is crucial to the future enhancement of high-energy sulfur cathodes. The physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms, along with cutting-edge preparation techniques will be summarized. Furthermore, the intricate relationship between the polymer precursors and morphology/chemical structure of the carbon host is discussed, and its impact on battery performance is thoroughly explored.