Mesoporous graphene paper immobilised sulfur as a flexible electrode for lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

Free-standing flexible mesoporous graphene–sulfur nanocomposite electrodes have been prepared by a sulfur vapor treatment approach. Amorphous sulfur homogeneously was distributed in the mesoporous architectures of porous graphene paper, in which sulfur was immobilized. The as-prepared mesoporous graphene–sulfur papers can be directly applied as electrodes in lithium–sulfur batteries without using a binder, conductive additives or an extra current collector. The conductive flexible porous graphene networks can effectively facilitate electron transfer and electrolyte diffusion. The free-standing sulfur–graphene nanocomposite electrodes achieved a high discharge capacity of 1393 mA h g⁻¹ with an enhanced cycling stability and good rate performance.