Construction of an Additional Hierarchical Porous Framework in Carbon Fabric for Applications in Energy Storage

A gradient copolymer, poly(styrene-co-vinylbenzyl), was synthesized and used to construct a porous conductive framework on carbon fabric (C_porous@CF). Compared with the pristine CF, C_porous@CF exhibited a smaller average pore size (from greater than 10 to 1-2 μm), a greatly expanded surface area (from 2.2 to 55 m²g^-1), an improved connection between carbon fibers, and better electronic conduction. The prepared C_porous@CF was tested as a conductive host for the cathode active material in lithium-polysulfide batteries. The cell constructed with C_porous@CF had a higher capacity (>1000 mAh g^-1at 0.1-0.5C) and better rate capability compared to that constructed with pristine CF. The primary causes of the improved electrochemical performance of the C_porous@CF cell are discussed and clarified through cyclic voltammetry and the method of the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique.