Li2S nano spheres anchored to single-layered graphene as a high-performance cathode material for lithium/sulfur cells

Fully lithiated lithium sulfide (Li2S) has become a promising cathode material for Li/S cells due to its high theoretic capacity (1166 mA h g−1) and specific energy (2600 W h kg−1). However, low utilization of sulfur and poor rate capability still hinder the practical application of Li/S cells. In this paper, a carbon coated Li2S/graphene composite (Li2S/[email protected]) was developed by incorporating Li2S nano spheres with single-layered graphene and further forming a durable protective carbon layer on the surface of the Li2S particles using a facile CVD method. The high rate capability and remarkable cycle life of the Li2S/[email protected] cathode were demonstrated, which was mainly attributed to the unique structure of the Li2S/[email protected] that can significantly improve not only the electrical conductivity, but also the mechanical stability of the sulfur cathode.