High-performance nanostructure Fe2O3 synthesized via novel direct current electric arc method as sulfur-wrapping matrix for lithium-sulfur batteries

In this paper, a type of high-performance nanostructure Fe2O3 (Fe2O3-arc) is synthesized via a novel direct current electric arc method and employed as a sulfur-wrapping matrix for lithium-sulfur batteries. Scanning electron microscopy reveals Fe2O3-arc has a granular morphology and the crystal size can be controlled below 100 nm. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectrums show that Fe2O3-arc displays obvious confusion, but continues to have a typical Fe2O3 crystal structure with preferentially growing on the (110) crystal plane. After sulfur loading, stable physical entrapment and chemical interaction can be established between sulfur and Fe2O3-arc matrix. The electrochemical test indicates the sulfur composite cathode with Fe2O3-arc as matrix at the loading mass ratio to 1:3 has a stable and conventional sulfur electrochemical process. The initial discharge specific capacities can achieve 720.59, 653.79 and 540.32 mAh.g(-1) at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 C current rates, respectively. And after 200 cycles, the capacity retention rate can be at 62.23%.

Automated summary

This study synthesized a high-performance nanostructure Fe2O3 via a direct current electric arc method and employed it as a sulfur-wrapping matrix for lithium-sulfur batteries. The sulfur composite cathode with Fe2O3-arc as matrix showed stable physical entrapment and chemical interaction between sulfur and the matrix. The Fe2O3-arc based sulfur composite cathode exhibited a stable and conventional sulfur electrochemical process at a certain loading mass ratio.