Metal-organic framework-74-Ni/carbon nanotube composite as sulfur host for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

In this paper, metal-organic framework-74-Ni/carbon nanotube (MOF-74-Ni/CNT) composite was synthesized via one-pot in situ hydrothermal reaction. The MOF-74-Ni/CNT was characterized and the electrochemical performance was investigated. The composite sulfur cathode prepared by impregnation method delivers a high initial discharge capacity, good rate capability and a low capacity decay of 0.087% per cycle over 400 cycles at 2 C. The significant electrochemical performance was attributed to the combination of the high affinity of MOF-74-Ni to polysulfide anions and the excellent electronic conductivity of carbon nanotube. These results suggest the design of high polar MOF materials with high conductive CNT is an effective strategy to construct a promising sulfur host for Li-S batteries.