Exploiting Pulping Waste as an Ecofriendly Multifunctional Binder for Lithium Sulfur Batteries

Lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries have drawn tremendous interest owing to high energy density, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the practical application of Li-S batteries is severely restricted by limited cycle life and high self-discharge rate. Here, for the first time, one papermaking waste, calcium lignosulfonate (LSCa), is employed as a novel ecofriendly multifunctional binder for Li-S batteries. The LSCa electrode retains a capacity of 453 mAh g(-1) after 500 cycles at 1C (1C = 1675 mA g(-1)), and it delivers a high capacity of 571 mAh g(-1) even at 5C, the performance of which is much better than that of conventional PVDF electrode. Furthermore, a preferable areal capacity of 4.16 mAh cm(-2) after 100 cycles at 0.05C is obtained with a high sulfur loading of 7.64 mg cm(-2). These achievements are ascribed to the better adsorption polysulfides, more favorable Li+ transportation, and superior adhesion property of the LSCa, compared to PVDF.