Urchin-like Nb2O5/CNT modified separator for lithium-sulfur batteries

The shuttle effect of polysulfide (LIPSs) is one of the crucial barriers for Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Herein, an urchin-like Nb2O5/carbon nanotube (CNT) modified separator was fabricated by simple hydrothermal and filtration processes. Benefiting from the strong chemical capturing ability of urchin-like Nb2O5 and conductive network constructed by CNTs, the modified separator can obviously alleviate the polysulfide shuttling. The battery with the urchin-like Nb2O5/CNT modified separator exhibited a reversible capacity of 600 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C after 300 cycles and a rate capability (629 mAh g−1 at 2 C).