Integration of Desulfurization and Lithium–Sulfur Batteries Enabled by Amino-Functionalized Porous Carbon Nanofibers

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an industrial exhausted gas that is highly toxic to humans and the environment. Combining desulfurization and fabrication of cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) can solve this issue with a double benefit. Herein, the amino-functionalized lotus root-like carbon nanofibers (NH₂-PLCNFs) are prepared by the amination of electrospinning carbon nanofibers under dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Selective catalytic oxidation of H₂S to elemental sulfur (S) is achieved over the metal-free NH₂-PLCNFs catalyst, and the obtained composite S@NH₂-PLCNFs is further used as cathode in LSBs. NH₂-PLCNFs enable efficient desulfurization (removal capacity as high as 3.46 g H₂S g⁻¹ catalyst) and strongly covalent stabilization of S on modified carbon nanofibers. LSBs equipped with S@NH₂-PLCNFs deliver a high specific capacity of 705.8 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 C after 1000 cycles based on the spatial confinement and the covalent stabilization of electroactive materials on amino-functionalized porous carbon matrix. It is revealed that S@NH₂-PLCNFs obtained by this kind of chemical vapor deposition leads to a more homogeneous S distribution and superior electrochemical performance to the sample S/NH₂-PLCNF-M prepared by the traditional molten infusion. This work opens a new avenue for the combination of environment protection and energy storage.