Applied Chemistry for Engineering (공업화학)

The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry (한국공업화학회)
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Cobalt Catalyst Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF)-Derived Carbon Electrodes for Lithium-Sulfur Cells

  • Yongwoo Lee (School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University) ;
  • Yongju Jung (Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education) ;
  • Seok Kim (School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University)
  • Received : 2024.09.25
  • Accepted : 2024.10.25
  • Published : 2024.12.10
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Abstract

Lithium-sulfur batteries are recognized as potential next-generation energy storage devices due to their superior energy density and affordability. However, the dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) in the electrolyte induces a shuttle phenomenon, depleting active materials and shortening battery lifespan. This study examines the use of Co single-atom (CoSA) catalysts supported on an N-doped carbon matrix to mitigate the polysulfide shuttle effect. By varying the concentrations of Zn2+ and Co2+, the synthesis of ZnCo-Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) was optimized, enabling the uniform dispersion of Co single atoms within an N-doped carbon matrix. The Co2SA-CN@S electrode, derived from ZnCo-ZIF with an optimal Zn2+ to Co2+ concentration ratio of 8:2, achieved a specific capacity of 1113 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C and demonstrated excellent rate performance of 647 mAh g-1 at 1.0 C. This study confirms that the concentrations of Zn2+ and Co2+ during the synthesis of ZnCo-ZIF significantly influence Co particle aggregation and the formation of Co single atoms after heat treatment. The N-doped metal-organic framework-derived carbon, supported by single cobalt atoms, referred to as Co single-atom carbon nanomaterials (CoSA-CN), synthesized with optimal reactant concentrations, effectively enhances polysulfide conversion during redox reactions, minimizes LiPS migration, and suppresses the shuttle effect. This research reveals that controlling metal ion concentrations (Co2+ and Zn2+) is an effective strategy to limit an aggregation of metal catalysts, thereby producing single atoms more efficiently and ensuring their uniform distribution within the carbon matrix.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by a two-year research grant from Pusan National University.

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