S/C composites with different carbon matrices as cathode materials for metal-sulfur batteries

Today metal-sulfur batteries are among the most promising rechargeable power sources. However, there are several problems that limit the use of metal-sulfur batteries. Among them low electrical conductivity of sulfur, significant change in the volume of the cathode (about 160%) during the discharge/charge process, migration of soluble polysulfides of alkali metal between electrodes should be mentioned. Optimizing of the composition and microstructure of the cathode material coupled with the cation selective separator can solve or minimize the above mentioned problems. This work is devoted to comparative study of the electrochemical properties of S/C composites with different carbon matrices such as carbon nanotubes (NanoTechCenter LTD, Russia), mesoporous carbon (NanoTechCenter LTD, Russia) as cathode materials for lithium- and sodium-sulfur batteries. Liquid electrolyte with polypropylene film or cation exchange Nafion membranes intercalated by polar aprotic solvents were used as electrolyte and separator.