ZIF-8-derived N-doped porous carbon for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries: Effect of carbonization temperature on pore structure and nitrogen configuration

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered a promising class of energy storage devices due to their high theoretical energy density and specific capacity. Key challenges to improving LSB performance include mitigating the shuttle effect of soluble polysulfides (LiPSs) and enhancing the conductivity of the sulfur cathode. In this study, we present a tubular material composed of porous nitrogen-doped carbon (PNC) and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) as a sulfur host (PNC/NCNT). The porous structure of PNC/NCNT provides abundant space for sulfur accommodation, while its disordered mesoporous structure and high electronic conductivity help alleviate the shuttle effect of LiPSs through nitrogen-induced defects and active sites. As a result, the PNC/NCNT/S cathode significantly enhances the poor electrical conductivity of sulfur cathodes, offering improved rate performance and robust cycling stability, with a capacity retention of 859.1 mAh g −1 after 500 cycles at 1 C and a minimal capacity fading of 0.031 % per cycle.