Nitrogen-sulfur dual-doped citric-acid porous carbon as host for Li-S batteries

A nitrogen-sulfur dual-doped citric-acid porous carbon/sulfur (NS-CAPC/S) materials was prepared by an easy hydrothermal method applying glutathione as nitrogen-sulfur origin and citric-acid carbon as carbon origin. The detailed structure of the materials was determined through raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction tests. The appearance of the materials was investigated via transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy methods. N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherm was applied to test its pore size distribution and pore structure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was utilized to identify the mass ratio of sulfur. The NS-CAPC/S materials was employed as positive electrode material in Li-S batteries. Electrochemical performance revealed the prepared NS-CAPC/S composite possessed good specific capacity, exceptionally high cycle stability and excellent rate performance. (C) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University.