Almond Shell as a Microporous Carbon Source for Sustainable Cathodes in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

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Author
Benítez de la Torre, A.
González-Tejero, Marcos
Caballero Amores, Álvaro
Morales Palomino, Julián
Publisher
MDPIDate
2018Subject
AlmondsAgricultural waste
Biomass-derived carbon
Sulfur composite
Lithium–sulfur batteries
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A microporous carbon derived from biomass (almond shells) and activated with phosphoric acid was analysed as a cathodic matrix in Li–S batteries. By studying the parameters of the carbonization process of this biomass residue, certain conditions were determined to obtain a high surface area of carbon (967 m2 g−1) and high porosity (0.49 cm3 g−1). This carbon was capable of accommodating up to 60% by weight of sulfur, infiltrated by the disulphide method. The C–S composite released an initial specific capacity of 915 mAh g−1 in the Li–S cell at a current density of 100 mA g−1 with a high retention capacity of 760 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles and a coulombic efficiency close to 100%. The good performance of the composite was also observed under higher current rates (up to 1000 mA g−1). The overall electrochemical behaviour of this microporous carbon acting as a sulfur host reinforces the possibility of using biomass residues as sustainable sources of materials for energy storage.