Enhanced performance of Li-S battery with polymer doped potassium functionalized graphene interlayers as effective polysulfide barrier

In this study, the electrochemical performances of the novel glass fiber separators coated with potassium functionalized graphene (K-FGF) doped with polyaniline (PANI), poly 1,5-diaminoanthraquinone (PDAAQ) and PDAAQ/multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/cetyltrimethyl-ammonium-bromide (CTAB) were evaluated for their ability of polysulfide entrapment to improve the cycling stability and the capacity fading rate. The test results showed that K-FGF coated glass fiber separator doped with PDAAQ and PDAAQ/MWCNT/CTAB displayed incredible improvement in the electrochemical performance of the battery, with high initial capacity of 1346 and 1361 mAh g^{− 1} and capacity retention of 804 and 968 mAh g^{− 1} after 200 cycles respectively. It is evident that PDAAQ suppresses the polysulfides shuttle in the electrolyte and offers a strong binding energy for the adsorption of polysulfides on the separator surface.