Composites of Sulfur-Titania Nanotubes Prepared by a Facile Solution Infiltration Route as Cathode Material in Lithium-Sulfur Battery

Achieving high energy density has been the focus of research in rechargeable batteries. Lithiumsulfur system is attractive due to its high theoretical energy density (2500 Wh kg^–1). The major problem in Li–S system is associated with the dissolution of lithium polysulfides formed at the cathode during discharge. Shuttling of polysulfides between the cathode and anode during cycling reduces the efficiency of cycling. In the present study, TiO₂ nanotubes are prepared from nanoparticles by hydrothermal route. Titania-sulfur composite has been prepared by infiltrating sulfur solution into the TiO₂ nanotubes and studied as a cathode material in a non-aqueous electrolyte. Cycling behavior of Li–S cells fabricated using pristine sulfur and TiO₂ nanoparticle-sulfur composite is also studied for comparison. Cells with TiO₂ nanotubes exhibit better discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency than the cells with TiO₂ nanoparticles and pristine sulfur.