Abstract
Macro-mesocellular carbonaceous foams bearing metallic (Pd or Au) nanoparticles were synthesized and used to confine polysulfides at the cathode of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. We show that noble metal nanoparticles are useful for tuning the properties of cathode materials. On one hand, the surface chemistry of the metals enhances the polysulfide anchoring strength involved in carbon-based Li–S electrode cycling batteries. On the other hand, the metallic nanoparticles' nucleation and growthdecreases the carbonaceous foam's mesoporosity appearing, at first glance, as a penalty. The Au@CHIPE(80HF) sample shows a capacity for the first discharge at 327 mA h cm-3 decreasing to 182 mA h cm-3 after 50 cycles, corresponding, respectively, to 430 and 240 mA h g-1.....