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N-doped carbon nanotubes as cathode material in Li–S batteries

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Abstract

A cathode material based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) doped with a nitrogenous organic compound, thiosemicarbazide (CH5N3S), was prepared in this study. The doped material was characterized and analyzed through X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results show that nitrogen atoms were successfully doped into CNTs to form NCNTs with space grid structure. The profile of NCNT is more uniform than that of CNTs. The cathode material (i.e., NCNT/S) based on the NCNTs exhibited remarkably improved electrochemical properties. At an electric current density of 500 mA/g, the initial specific discharge capacity of the electrode with 0.43 at.% N is 897.1 mAh/g. After 90 cycles, the specific discharge capacity is 821.8 mAh/g.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11364011).

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Correspondence to Jianrong **ao or Zhiyong Wang.

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**ao, J., Wang, H., Li, X. et al. N-doped carbon nanotubes as cathode material in Li–S batteries. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 26, 7895–7900 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-3441-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-3441-1

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