LAUSR

Abstract Polysulfides (Li2Sx) have become key points that limit capacity improvement of lithium-sulfur batteries because of their high solubility. Oxygen-containing functional groups (such as C–O–H, C–O–C and C O) can effectively relieve a large amount of polysulfide dissolution due to their strong polarity. However, their types and contents on polysulfide-capturing abilities are still unknown. Therefore, three kinds of electrodes containing different contents of hydroxyl (C–O–H), ether (C–O–C) and carbonyl (C O) groups on carbon surface are controlled by changing pyrolysis times of dandelion. Electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries is tested to analyze influence of these groups on polysulfide-capturing abilities. It is discovered that C O and C–O–H groups can obviously inhibit shuttle effects of polysulfides during their initial production. In addition, a large number of C O bonds are converted to C–O–H bonds. More C–O–H bonds facilitate reversible capture of polysulfides and improve capacities. The introduction of C–O–C groups is not suitable for capturing more polysulfides rapidly and the appearance of ether groups limits conversion process of C–O–H groups. Both S load and discharging/charging process can effectively regulate evolution of three valence bonds, which is conducive to improving rate performance of lithium-sulfur batteries.