High-Performance Li-Metal-Free Sulfur Battery Employing a Lithiated Anatase TiO₂ Anode and a Freestanding Li₂S–Carbon Aerogel Cathode

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have emerged as promising alternatives to Li-ion batteries. The commercial feasibility of Li–S is still in question due the usage a highly reactive Li-metal anode and complex electrochemistry sulfur cathode. We demonstrate here battery that free both lithium-metal sulfur-element (S8) Instead carbonaceous material, lithiated anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle chosen anode. A freestanding pellet lithium sulfide carbon aerogel (Li2S/CA) used cathode Li-metal-free battery. Activation Li2S its conversion S8 are confirmed by operando Raman spectroscopy. UV–vis spectroscopy clearly shows high retention intermediate polysulfides inside Li2S/CA pellet. cell with (Li2S-loading ? 10 mg cm–2) TiO2 remarkable electrochemical performance at current rates varying from 0.1C (1st cycle: 565 mAh g–1; 200th 370 g–1) 1C (?200 g–1). also performed remarkably well rate range 955 855 2C (average specific capacity@1C 380