A novel molecular synthesis route to Li2S loaded carbon fibers for lithium-sulfur batteries

The synthesis of a novel air-stable molecular precursor (LiSC2H4)(2)NMe enables the formation of the desired 1D lithium sulfide (Li2S) via the electrospinning method under ambient conditions. The solubility of the precursor in polar solvents combined with a common polymer (PVP) allowed a suitable spinning solution to obtain ideal green Li2S loaded fibers. 3D fiber mats of the calcined homogeneous 1D electrospun Li2S/C fibers were characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Direct integration of Li2S in an electronically conductive carbon matrix as the cathode obviates the need of elemental lithium as the anode, which is a great advantage against the reported lithium-sulfur batteries. An initial capacity of about 870 mA h g(-1) at C/20, a capacity retention of 73% after 100 cycles at C/10 and a capacity of about 400 mA h g(-1) at 1C were observed for the presented system.