A novel mangosteen peels derived hierarchical porous carbon for lithium sulfur battery

A new type of hierarchical porous carbon (HMC) with ultrahigh specific surface area (3244 m2 g−1) and remarkable specific pore volume (1.58 cm3 g−1) was obtained from mangosteen peels via a feasible carbonization and activation method. Up to 65 wt% sulfur content could be loaded into the pores of HMC to make C/S composite cathode for lithium sulfur (Li-S) battery. The unique porous structure not only effectively minimized the diffusion of soluble polysulfides generating shuttle effect but also substantially buffered the huge volume expansion of sulfur during cycling as well as improving conductivity. C/S composited with HMC activated at 800 °C delivered a high specific discharge capacity of 870 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C and 69% of it was still kept after 100 cycles. At a higher current rate of 2 C, a high discharge capacity of 569.2 mAh g−1 corresponding to 85% of initial capacity was achieved, exhibiting excellent rate capability and capacity retention.