Issue 5, 2024

Single-atom cobalt encapsulated in carbon nanotubes as an effective catalyst for enhancing sulfur conversion in lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

The application of single-atom catalysts offers an auspicious resolution to the obstacles introduced by the polysulfide shuttle phenomenon and the sluggish sulfur conversion kinetics in lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). This research presents results regarding a sulfur host that demonstrates redox activity and resistance to polymeric sulfur species (PSS). High-curvature carbon nanotubes are utilized in the construction of a single atom CoN4 catalyst through a series of steps including pyrolysis, surface processing, electrostatic adsorption, and polymerization. Undoubtedly, the presence of cobalt (Co) atoms as discrete entities was revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, as these atoms showed dimensions consistent with the sulfur components on the cathode side. This configuration enables catalytic activity with a remarkable 100% atomic utilization functionality. Furthermore, the DFT calculation of free energy values indicates that the reduction of LiPSs on the carbon nanotube with surface curvature is more advantageous compared to the planar carbon surface. The obtained data suggest that the sulfur cathode, which was fabricated utilizing CoSAC/CNT, demonstrates electrocatalytic capability in the transformation of soluble polysulfides to insoluble Li2S. As a consequence, the detrimental effects of the polysulfide shuttle effect are mitigated. The recently introduced sulfur host in the LSB exhibits consistent performance over 1000 cycles. It sustains a capacity of 990 mA h g−1 at a rate of 1C, with a sulfur loading of 2.0 mg cm−2. An impressive area-specific power of 4.1 mA h cm−2 is achieved with a considerable sulfur loading of 7 mg cm−2. This single-atom cobalt catalyst shows significant potential as a next-generation cathode material for LSBs.

Graphical abstract: Single-atom cobalt encapsulated in carbon nanotubes as an effective catalyst for enhancing sulfur conversion in lithium–sulfur batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
14 Dec 2023
Accepted
07 Feb 2024
First published
08 Feb 2024

Mol. Syst. Des. Eng., 2024,9, 464-476

Single-atom cobalt encapsulated in carbon nanotubes as an effective catalyst for enhancing sulfur conversion in lithium–sulfur batteries

K. A. Samawi, E. A. Salman, H. A. Hasan, H. M. A. Mahmoud, S. M. Mohealdeen, G. Abdulkareem-Alsultan, E. Abdulmalek and M. F. Nassar, Mol. Syst. Des. Eng., 2024, 9, 464 DOI: 10.1039/D3ME00191A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements