Graphene-like porous carbon-titanium nitride composite as an efficient separator modifier for lithium-sulfur batteries
Sultanov F. Zhumasheva N. Dangaliyeva A. Kenzhebek M. Shinkarova Y. Tatykayev B. Shomenov T. Mentbayeva A. Bakenov Z.
1 December 2025Elsevier Ltd
Nano Energy
2025#145
Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are generally recognized as strong contenders in the advanced energy storage field due to their remarkable theoretical capacity and high energy density. Nevertheless, their real-world implementation is hindered by several limiting factors such as the shuttling phenomenon associated with diffusion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), sulfurs inherently low electroconductivity, and large cathode volume fluctuations during charge-discharge cycles. To address these limitations, this work presents a strategy involving separator modification using a composite material that integrates both polar and non-polar characteristics. A mesoporous graphene-like porous carbon (GPC) derived from biomass was fabricated and further functionalized with titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles. The impact of various TiN loadings into GPC was thoroughly analyzed. LSB cells incorporating cathodes on the basis of GPC@S with a separator modified with GPC-TiN-10 demonstrated accelerated redox reaction kinetics and remarkable alleviation of the LiPSs diffusion toward the anode. The optimized cells delivered an initial discharge capacity of 1651 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, approaching the theoretical limit, and after 100 cycles, retained 880 mAh g−1. When cycled at 1 C, the cells exhibited a negligible decay in capacity of 0.059 % per cycle. Furthermore, outstanding rate capabilities were recorded with 896 mAh g−1 at 1 C and 826 mAh g−1 at 2 C. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations additionally justified that the observed enhancement in the characteristics originates from strong chemical affinity between LiPSs species and the TiN-modified carbon matrix, which provides more effective anchoring sites.
Graphene-like porous carbon , Lithium polysulfides , Lithium-sulfur batteries , Titanium-nitride nanoparticles
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Ave. 53, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
National Laboratory Astana
Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026