In Situ Synthesis of Li2S‐Loaded amphiphilic Porous Carbon and Modification of the Li2S Electrode for Long‐Life Li2S Batteries

Abstract A strategy to construct amphiphilic inner surfaces with hydrophilic N, S−O and C−S−C sites in porous carbon is presented for applications in Li 2 S batteries. The amphiphilic porous carbon (APC) with high wettability, specific surface area, and polysulfide (PS) absorption ability is obtained through the pyrolysis of a glucose−thiourea resin with a nano‐CaCO 3 template. Furthermore, a Li 2 S‐loaded APC is developed in which Li 2 SO 4 is employed instead of CaCO 3 . Li 2 SO 4 is not only a reactant for Li 2 S production, but also functions as a template to form mesopores. Sulfur blending in the Li 2 S electrode successfully improves the electrode activation. The initial capacity decay is suppressed significantly after the Li 2 S electrode is modified with a protective layer composed of polyethylene oxide and polybenzimidazole. The first discharge capacity reaches 1082 mAh g −1 Li 2 S (equivalent to 1554 mAh g −1 S). The resultant Li 2 S battery exhibits excellent cyclability. A discharge capacity as high as 565 mAh g −1 is retained after 300 cycles at a discharge rate of 0.5 C. A rate capacity of 376 mAh g −1 is achieved at 5 C.