Low-cost, porous carbon current collector with high sulfur loading for lithium-sulfur batteries

Li-S batteries with a porous carbon current collector (PCCC), high sulfur loading (2.3 mg cm(-2), equal to 80 wt.% sulfur content), high capacity, and long cycle life have been fabricated with a simple one-step paste absorption method. The intimate contact between the insulating sulfur and the embedded conductive matrix allows high active material loading. The high absorptivity of electrolyte by the PCCC facilitates efficient retention of soluble polysulfides within the PCCC, so the 3D cathode architecture stabilizes the electrochemical reaction within the porous space. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.