Reduction of graphene oxide gel with carbon nanotubes, sulfur cathode material preparation and electrochemical performance

Abstract

Reduction of graphene oxide with different reduction degrees was carried out using a hydrothermal reduction method at 130–190 °C. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, and electrochemical testing methods were conducted to investigate the effect of reduction of the graphene oxide gel on the Li–S battery electrochemical performance. The results indicated that the reduced graphene oxide gel was a 3D network graphite structure. The sulfur-based composite material was uniformly embedded, and sulfur polymer loss was suppressed. The reduction degree of graphene oxide (GO) gel increased with increasing water fluid temperatures. In contrast, when the water fluid temperature was 190 °C, the best rate performance of the electrode was observed.