Sulfur–carbon yolk–shell particle based 3D interconnected nanostructures as cathodes for rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

We report for the first time a novel method to synthesize sulfur–carbon yolk–shell particles with sulfur fully confined inside the conductive carbon shells, and the filling content of sulfur can be well-controlled and fine-tuned. In the yolk–shell structure the sulfur spheres partially occupy the internal void space of highly conductive carbon, allowing for comfortable accommodation of the volume expansion of sulfur upon lithiation during the battery discharge process. 3D interconnected nanostructures based on such sulfur–carbon yolk–shell particles exhibit a high initial capacity of 560 mA h g⁻¹ (per gram electrode) with good cycling performance, promising high potential in rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries for a wide range of applications.