A freestanding sulfur/dehydrogenated polyacrylonitrile/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite (S/DPAN/MWCNT) was prepared by a simple vacuum filtration of a mixture of S/DPAN composite and MWCNT suspensions, and studied as a cathode for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries. SEM and EDS analysis revealed uniform distribution of sulfur in a conductive pyrolyzed polyacrylonitrile host matrix with MWCNT integrated into the composite. Self-weaving MWCNT create an electronically conductive network and reinforce structural stability of the system, leading to an outstanding electrochemical performance of the composite cathode. Binder/current collector-free composite cathode exhibits high capacities of 1450mAhg−1 at 0.2 C and 930mAhg−1 at 2 C charge-discharge rates. A high discharge capacity of 1250mAhg−1 is achieved after 260 cycles at 0.2 C with a coulombic efficiency around 100%

The growing energy demand leads to the excessive combustion of fossil fuels and contributes to CO₂-induced global warming. On the other hand, new sustainable energy solutions require the development of advanced functional materials. Carbon composite nanofibers are attractive functional materials for a wide range of applications, including energy storage and conversion, sensing, catalysis, water filtration, drug delivery, gas separation, and tissue engineering, owing to their unique properties, such as a high surface area to volume ratio, excellent chemical resistance, superior electrical and thermal conductivity, and mechanical stability. Electrospinning coupled with heat treatment is an inexpensive and straightforward technique that allows the homogeneous mixing of precursor salts at the molecular level, easy functionalization of fibers, a combination of materials, and deposition of fibers onto other substrates. This review focuses on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a sole carbon source without any additional polymers for composite nanofibers prepared by electrospinning with subsequent heat treatments. We discuss the main production parameters affecting the morphology and structure of prepared composites and summarize them by applications. The advantages and challenges of using PVP as a carbon source are highlighted by classifying the designed materials as electrodes for lithium-ion batteries and other energy storage systems, semiconductors, and beyond.

Free‐standing tin phosphide/phosphate carbon composite nanofiber mats of unique nanostructure have been successfully synthesized by electrospinning and partially reducing the phosphate‐containing precursors. An unusual effect of the Sn:P molar ratio in the precursor solution on the structure and physical‐electrochemical properties of the material is observed. Physical characterizations, including X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confirm the formation of tin phosphide/phosphate nanoparticles of P‐rich inner Sn_xP layer and Sn‐rich outer layer uniformly distributed within carbon nanofiber matrix when the Sn:P=1:1. The prepared material is tested as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries and it retains 1141 mAh g⁻¹ charge capacity after 300 cycles at a current density of 250 mA g⁻¹ with almost 100% Coulombic efficiency at room temperature. Furthermore, it demonstrates six times higher capacity (846 mAh g⁻¹) at 0 °C compared to a commercial graphite anode and stable cyclability at −20 °C and 50 mA g⁻¹. Post‐mortem ex situ XRD and SEM analyses confirm the structural stability of the designed material and the formation of a uniform stable solid electrolyte interphase layer even after 100 cycles at 50 mA g⁻¹.