CeF₃-Doped Porous Carbon Nanofibers as Sulfur Immobilizers in Cathode Material for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

In this study, the CeF3-doped porous carbon nanofibers (PCNFs), prepared via electroblown spinning technique and carbonization process, are used as sulfur immobilizers in cathodes for lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries for the first time. The cathode composed of CeF3-doped PCNFs, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and S is successfully prepared through the ball-milling and heating method. The formed porous structure in the PCNFs and CNTs facilitates the construction of highly electrically conductive pathways and effectively alleviates volume changes, which can maintain the stability of the cathode structure and make them in close contact between the electrodes. Meanwhile, the intermediate polysulfide dissolved and lost in the electrolyte can also be suppressed because of the hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers and CeF3. The Li–S battery using the cathode can display excellent electrochemical properties and stable capacity retention, presenting an initial discharge capacity of 1395.0 mAh g–1 and retaining a capacity of 901.2 mAh g–1 after 500 cycles at 0.5C. During the rate capability tests of battery, the discharge capacity of Li–S battery with the electrode slowed down from the discharge capacity of 1284.6 mAh g–1 at 0.5C to 1038.6 mAh g–1 at 1C and 819.3 mAh g–1 at 2C, respectively. It is noteworthy that the battery can still endow an outstanding discharge capacity of 1269.73 mAh g–1 with a high retention of 99.2% when the current density returns to 0.5C.