An efficient, industry-accepted spray drying method was used to synthesize micro-spherical sulfur/graphene oxide (S/GO) composites as cathode materials within lithium sulfur batteries. The as-designed wrapping of the sulfur-nanoparticles, with wrinkled GO composites, was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The unique morphological design of this material enabled superior discharge capacity and cycling performance, demonstrating a high initial discharge capacity of 1400 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C. The discharge capacity remained at 828 mAh g⁻¹ after 150 cycles. The superior electrochemical performance indicates that the S/GO composite improves electrical conductivity and alleviates the shuttle effect. This study represents the first time such a facile spray drying method has been adopted for lithium sulfur batteries and used in the fabrication of S/GO composites.

In this paper, the synthesis of the three-dimensional (3D) composite of spherical reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with uniformly distributed CeO₂ particles is reported. This synthesis is done via a facile and large-scalable spray-drying process, and the CeO₂/RGO materials are hydrothermally compounded with sulfur. The morphology, composition, structure, and electrochemical properties of the 3D S/CeO₂/RGO composite are studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), etc. The electrochemical performance of the composites as electrodes for lithium–sulfur batteries is evaluated. The S/CeO₂/RGO composites deliver a high initial capacity of 1054 mAh g⁻¹, and retain a reversible capacity of 792 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 0.1 C. Profiting from the combined effect of CeO₂ and RGO, the CeO₂/RGO materials effectively inhibit the dissolution of polysulfides, and the coating of spherical RGO improves the structural stability as well as conductivity.

Sulfur/ethylenediamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (S/EDA-RGO) nanocomposites were synthesized using a simple process. Ethylenediamine (EDA) was employed as both the reducing agent and the modification component. The morphologies, microstructures, and compositions of S/EDA-RGO composites were characterized by various detection techniques. The data indicated that EDA-RGO used as scaffolds for sulfur cathodes could enhance the electronic conductivity of the composites and strengthen the adsorbability of polysulfides. Meanwhile, the electrochemical properties of both S/EDA-RGO and S/RGO composites that were used as cathodes for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries were investigated. The initial discharge capacity of S/EDA-RGO composites reached 1240 mAh g⁻¹, with reversible capacity being maintained at 714 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. The improvement in cycling stability of S/EDA-RGO composites was further verified at different current rates. These findings demonstrated that proper surface modification of RGO by EDA reducing agent might improve the electrochemical performances of Li–S batteries.

A facile and industry-accepted dealloying method was used to synthesize Mn₃O₄ particles, which were then employed to prepare sulfur/Mn₃O₄ (S/Mn₃O₄) composites as cathode materials for lithium-sulfur batteries. The composites delivered initial discharge capacity reaching up 1184 mAh·g⁻¹ at 0.1 C with capacity retention of 679 mAh·g⁻¹ after 150 cycles. In addition, even at 2 C, the lithium/sulfur battery with S/Mn₃O₄ cathode delivered high reversible discharge capacity of 540 mAh g⁻¹, demonstrating excellent rate capability.