Hollow TiN Nanospheres as Advanced Host Materials for High Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

To improve the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries, the issues of poor electronic conductivity and shuttle effect of soluble polysulfide must be solved. In this work, hollow mesoporous TiN nanospheres are developed and designed as host materials for the lithium-sulfur batteries. The as-prepared TiN/S composites show initial high specific capacity of 1316 mAhg(-1) at the current density of 0.1 C. Furthermore, the TiN/S composites deliver superior cycle stability and excellent rate capability. The superior electrochemical performance could be ascribed to the following advantages: (a) The presence of TiN could enhance the electronic conductivity; (b) The mesoporous structure is beneficial for inhibiting the shuttle effect of soluble polysulfide.