LAUSR

MXenes and sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (S-PAN) are emerging as possible contenders to resolve the polysulfide dissolution and volumetric expansion issues in sodium-sulfur batteries. Herein, we explore the interactions between Ti3C2Tx MXenes and S-PAN with traditional binders such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in Na-S batteries for the first time. We hypothesize that the linearity and polarity of the binder significantly influence the dispersion of S-PAN over Ti3C2Tx. The three-dimensional polar CMC binder resulted in better contact surface area with both S-PAN and Ti3C2Tx. Moreover, the improved binding of the discharge products with the CMC binder effectively traps them and prevents unwanted shuttling. Consequently, the Na-S battery using the CMC binder displayed a high initial capacity of 1282 mAh/g(s) at 0.2 C and a low capacity fading of 0.092% per cycle over 300 cycles. This work highlights the importance of understanding MXene-binder interactions in sulfur cathodes.