@article{ART003273826},
author={Kim Hye Ran and Lim Ji Yang and Kim Je Yeon and Kim Sun Hyu and Kim Seok and Jung Yongju},
title={Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes},
journal={Carbon Letters},
issn={1976-4251},
year={2025},
volume={35},
number={5},
pages={2125-2136},
doi={10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim Hye Ran
AU - Lim Ji Yang
AU - Kim Je Yeon
AU - Kim Sun Hyu
AU - Kim Seok
AU - Jung Yongju
TI - Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes
JO - Carbon Letters
PY - 2025
VL - 35
IS - 5
PB - Korean Carbon Society
SP - 2125
EP - 2136
SN - 1976-4251
AB - The insulating nature of elemental sulfur has been regarded as a major challenge limiting the electrochemical performance of Li–S batteries. Consequently, previous efforts have focused on developing conductive porous materials to enhance sulfur contact. In this study, we review this conventional assumption and demonstrate that the insulating property of sulfur is not the primary factor affecting Li–S battery performance. Instead, we introduce a novel sulfur host design using polar mesoporous carbon (p-MC), which possesses ultra-low electrical conductivity (6.45 × 10−7 S cm−1) and functional groups. Our results demonstrate that all sulfur particles within the nearly insulating p-MC matrix actively participate in electrochemical reduction during the initial discharge. A comparative study with a nonpolar mesoporous carbon host, which features a similar porous structure but higher conductivity (1.07 × 10−1 S cm−1), showed that the p-MC host achieved superior cycling stability. This performance is attributed to the strong interaction between the polar functional groups of p-MC and lithium polysulfides, enabling effective and stable confinement of the active materials during cycling. Our findings highlight a paradigm shift in the design of sulfur host materials and the critical role of polar functionalities. This study offers a promising strategy for the development of durable and high-performance Li–S batteries.
KW - Polar mesoporous carbon;Surface functional groups;Sulfur host;Li-S battery;Polysulfide absorption
DO - 10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
ER -
Kim Hye Ran, Lim Ji Yang, Kim Je Yeon, Kim Sun Hyu, Kim Seok and Jung Yongju. (2025). Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes. Carbon Letters, 35(5), 2125-2136.
Kim Hye Ran, Lim Ji Yang, Kim Je Yeon, Kim Sun Hyu, Kim Seok and Jung Yongju. 2025, "Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes", Carbon Letters, vol.35, no.5 pp.2125-2136. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
Kim Hye Ran, Lim Ji Yang, Kim Je Yeon, Kim Sun Hyu, Kim Seok, Jung Yongju "Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes" Carbon Letters 35.5 pp.2125-2136 (2025) : 2125.
Kim Hye Ran, Lim Ji Yang, Kim Je Yeon, Kim Sun Hyu, Kim Seok, Jung Yongju. Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes. 2025; 35(5), 2125-2136. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
Kim Hye Ran, Lim Ji Yang, Kim Je Yeon, Kim Sun Hyu, Kim Seok and Jung Yongju. "Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes" Carbon Letters 35, no.5 (2025) : 2125-2136.doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
Kim Hye Ran; Lim Ji Yang; Kim Je Yeon; Kim Sun Hyu; Kim Seok; Jung Yongju. Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes. Carbon Letters, 35(5), 2125-2136. doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
Kim Hye Ran; Lim Ji Yang; Kim Je Yeon; Kim Sun Hyu; Kim Seok; Jung Yongju. Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes. Carbon Letters. 2025; 35(5) 2125-2136. doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
Kim Hye Ran, Lim Ji Yang, Kim Je Yeon, Kim Sun Hyu, Kim Seok, Jung Yongju. Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes. 2025; 35(5), 2125-2136. Available from: doi:10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
Kim Hye Ran, Lim Ji Yang, Kim Je Yeon, Kim Sun Hyu, Kim Seok and Jung Yongju. "Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes" Carbon Letters 35, no.5 (2025) : 2125-2136.doi: 10.1007/s42823-025-00907-5
