Work

Transforming Coal Waste into Surface‐Engineered Carbons for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Slow redox kinetics and polysulfide shuttling hinder the practical deployment of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. Here, coal waste‐derived porous carbons with engineered surface chemistry and tailored textural properties as efficient sulfur hosts are demonstrated. Through oxygen and nitrogen doping via chemical and thermal treatments, it is shown that textural properties govern initial sulfur utilization while surface chemistry dictates long‐term cycling stability. Pristine coal waste porous carbon (CWPC) achieves the highest initial capacity (1114 mAh g −1 ) due to superior porosity, but suffered severe capacity fading (24% retention). Oxygen‐doped CWPC (CWPC‐O) demonstrates optimal performance by balancing adequate porosity with enhanced polysulfide confinement, delivering an initial capacity of 860 mAh g −1 and retaining 67% capacity after 100 cycles at 101 mA g −1 (0.2C). These findings highlight a sustainable pathway to transform coal waste into high‐value energy materials, offering both performance enhancement and environmental benefits for next‐generation Li–S batteries.

Source: Batteries & Supercaps

DOI: 10.1002/batt.202500762

Authors: Jibril Abdulsalam, Alexander Kempf, Magdalena Graczyk‐Zajac, Anke Weidenkaff, Ralf Riedel

Institutions: Technische Universität Darmstadt, Energie Baden-Württemberg (Germany)

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,030