Investigations on partially reduced graphene oxide capped sulfur/polyaniline composite as positive electrode material for lithium-sulfur battery

A ternary sulfur (S)/polyaniline (PAni)/partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) composite material has been prepared via simple heat treatment. The combined effect of prGO/PAni performs multiple roles like serving as a conducting additive and as a porous adsorbing agent to prevent dissolution of polysulfide in the composite. The prepared material has been characterized for its structural and morphological studies using x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman analysis and Scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical measurements have been studied by cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge analyses with the potential window of 1.5–3.0 V. The S/PAni/prGO composite cathode delivers an initial discharge capacity of 972 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C rate and it sustains 645 mAh g⁻¹ at 50^th cycle. The improved electrochemical performance of S/PAni/prGO cathode in lithium sulfur battery is mainly attributed to the combined effect of partially reduced graphene oxide and polyaniline. (paper)