3D Hollow rGO Microsphere Decorated with ZnO Nanoparticles as Efficient Sulfur Host for High-Performance Li-S Battery

Lithium-sulfur battery (LSB) will become the next generation energy storage device if its severe shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics can be effectively addressed. Here, a unique three-dimensional hollow reduced graphene oxide microsphere decorated with ZnO nanoparticles (3D-ZnO/rGO) is synthesized to decrease the dissolution of lithium polysulfide (LiPS) into the electrolyte. The chemical adsorption of ZnO on LiPS is combined with the physical adsorption of 3D-rGO microsphere to synergistically suppress the shuttle effect. The obtained 3D-ZnO/rGO can provide sufficient space for sulfur storage, and effectively alleviate the repeated volume changes of sulfur during the cycle. When the prepared S-3D-ZnO/rGO was used as the cathode in LSB, an initial discharge specific capacity of 1277 mAh g−1 was achieved at 0.1 C. After 100 cycles, 949 mAh g−1 can still be maintained. Even at 1 C, a reversible discharge specific capacity of 726 mAh g−1 was delivered.