Uncovering the Binder Interactions with S-PAN and MXene for Room Temperature Na–S Batteries

Uncovering the Binder Interactions with S-PAN and MXene for Room Temperature Na–S Batteries

Nano Letters

10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00778

http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00778

Andrew Jun Yao Wong, Wei Ying Lieu, Deviprasath Chinnadurai, Man-Fai Ng, Zhi Wei Seh

Mechanical Engineering, General Materials Science, General Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Bioengineering

10 April 2023

Wong, A. J. Y., Lieu, W. Y., Chinnadurai, D., Ng, M.-F., & Seh, Z. W. (2023). Uncovering the Binder Interactions with S-PAN and MXene for Room Temperature Na–S Batteries. Nano Letters, 23(8), 3592–3598. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00778

MXenes and sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (S-PAN) are emerging as possible contenders to resolve the polysulfide dissolution and volumetric expansion issues in sodium–sulfur batteries. Herein, we explore the interactions between Ti3C2Tx MXenes and S-PAN with traditional binders such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in Na–S batteries for the first time. We hypothesize that the linearity and polarity of the binder significantly influence the dispersion of S-PAN over Ti3C2Tx. The three-dimensional polar CMC binder resulted in better contact surface area with both S-PAN and Ti3C2Tx. Moreover, the improved binding of the discharge products with the CMC binder effectively traps them and prevents unwanted shuttling. Consequently, the Na–S battery using the CMC binder displayed a high initial capacity of 1282 mAh/g(s) at 0.2 C and a low capacity fading of 0.092% per cycle over 300 cycles. This work highlights the importance of understanding MXene-binder interactions in sulfur cathodes.

Publisher Copyright

This research is supported by core funding from: SERC
Grant Reference no. : NA

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Nano Letters, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00778

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