3D coral-like nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon-sulfur composite for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

3D coral-like, nitrogen and sulfur co-doped mesoporous carbon has been synthesized by a facile hydrothermal-nanocasting method to house sulfur for Li-S batteries. The primary doped species (pyridinic-N, pyrrolic-N, thiophenic-S and sulfonic-S) enable this carbon matrix to suppress the diffusion of polysulfides, while the interconnected mesoporous carbon network is favourable for rapid transport of both electrons and lithium ions. Based on the synergistic effect of N, S co-doping and the mesoporous conductive pathway, the as-fabricated C/S cathodes yield excellent cycling stability at a current rate of 4 C (1 C = 1675 mA g(-1)) with only 0.085% capacity decay per cycle for over 250 cycles and ultra-high rate capability (693 mAh g(-1) at 10 C rate). These capabilities have rarely been reported before for Li-S batteries.