MoS2-decorated coaxial nanocable carbon aerogel composites as cathode materials for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

MoS2-decorated coaxial nanocable carbon aerogel (MoS2/CNCA) has been successfully prepared by phenol aldehyde reaction on the substrate of multi-walled carbon nanotube with catalysis of ammonium molybdate followed pyroprocessing with sulfur. The as-prepared samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The MoS2-decorated carbon aerogel (CA) with carbon nanotube as fine wire presents narrow distribution of pore size, interconnected structure and high conductance. The MoS2/CNCA/S composites exhibit improved electrochemical performances as cathode of lithium-sulfur batteries. Especially, the MoS2-8/CNCA/S composite delivers a discharge capacity of 1343 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 C with the capacity retention of 81% after 200 cycles. Even at 5 C, the electrode presents high discharge capacity of 723 mAh g(-1). These improved results can be attributed to the contribution of entangled network as electronic conductive channel, large surface area, small pore size and special anchoring action of molybdenum disulfide. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.