A diatomite-derived N-doped carbon aerogel with 98% sulfur loading for the enhancement of Li–S battery performance

Abstract

Improving the sulfur content and cycling performance of the cathode is the key to the commercial application of lithium–sulfur batteries. Herein, the diatomite-derived nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel provides an ample sulfur loading space that can be loaded with 98% sublimated sulfur. The Li–S battery delivered an initial discharge capacity of 703.1 mAh g⁻¹ and still retained 510.1 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5C after 200 cycles, which is attributed to the highly disordered carbon and catalytic activity.