The novel polyethylene glycol-grafted multiwalled carbon nanotube/sulfur (PEG-CNT/S) composite cathodes with nest-like structure are fabricated through a facile combination process of liquid phase deposition and self-assembly, which consist of the active material core of sulfur particle and the conductive shell of PEG-CNT network. The unique architecture not only provides a short and rapid charge transfer pathway to improve the reaction kinetics but also alleviates the volume expansion of sulfur during lithiation and minimizes the diffusion of intermediate polysulfides. Such an encouraging electrochemical environment ensures the excellent rate capability and high cycle stability. As a result, the as-prepared PEG-CNT/S composite with sulfur content of 75.9 wt % delivers an initial discharge capacity of 1191 and 897 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles at 0.2 C with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.5%. Even at a high rate of 2 C, an appreciable capacity of 723 mAh g(-1) can still be obtained.
Keywords: carbon nanotube; lithium−sulfur batteries; nest-like structure; polyethylene glycol; self-assembly.