Isolated Co single atoms in nitrogen-doped graphene for aluminum-sulfur batteries with enhanced kinetic response

摘要

Al-S batteries are promising next generation energy storage devices due to their high theoretical energy density(1340 Wh kg^(-1)),low cost,and safe operation.However,the electrochemical performance of Al-S batteries suffers poor reversibility owing to slow kinetic processes determined by the difficulty of reversible conversion between Al and S.Here,we proposed a single-atom catalysts comprising Co atoms embedded in a nitrogen-doped graphene(Co NG)as an electrochemical catalyst in the sulfur cathode that renders a reduced discharge-charge voltage hysteresis and improved sulfur utilization in the cathode.The structural and electrochemical analyses suggest that the Co NG facilitated both the formation and oxidation of Al S;during the electrochemical reactions of the sulfur species.Consequently,the Co NG-S composite can deliver a considerably reduced voltage hysteresis of 0.76 V and a reversible specific capacity of 1631 m Ah g^(-1) at 0.2 A g^(-1) with a sulfur utilization of more than 97%.