@article{ART003273826},
author={Hye Ran Kim and Ji Yang Lim and Je Yeon Kim and Sun Hyu Kim and Seok Kim and Yongju Jung},
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 - Hye Ran Kim
AU - Ji Yang Lim
AU - Je Yeon Kim
AU - Sun Hyu Kim
AU - Seok Kim
AU - Yongju Jung
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 -
Hye Ran Kim, Ji Yang Lim, Je Yeon Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Seok Kim and Yongju Jung. (2025). Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes. Carbon Letters, 35(5), 2125-2136.
Hye Ran Kim, Ji Yang Lim, Je Yeon Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Seok Kim and Yongju Jung. 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
Hye Ran Kim, Ji Yang Lim, Je Yeon Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Seok Kim, Yongju Jung "Polar mesoporous carbon as a sulfur host for Li–S battery cathodes" Carbon Letters 35.5 pp.2125-2136 (2025) : 2125.
Hye Ran Kim, Ji Yang Lim, Je Yeon Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Seok Kim, Yongju Jung. 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
Hye Ran Kim, Ji Yang Lim, Je Yeon Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Seok Kim and Yongju Jung. "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
Hye Ran Kim; Ji Yang Lim; Je Yeon Kim; Sun Hyu Kim; Seok Kim; Yongju Jung. 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
Hye Ran Kim; Ji Yang Lim; Je Yeon Kim; Sun Hyu Kim; Seok Kim; Yongju Jung. 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
Hye Ran Kim, Ji Yang Lim, Je Yeon Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Seok Kim, Yongju Jung. 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
Hye Ran Kim, Ji Yang Lim, Je Yeon Kim, Sun Hyu Kim, Seok Kim and Yongju Jung. "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
