Enhanced rate capability in lithium-sulfur batteries using hybrid carbon nanotubes and NZFO-coated separator.

[Display omitted] • Solid-state melt diffusion was adopted to encapsulate sulfur within the hybrid-CNTs. • NZFO-coated separator was used to fabricate M/S-CNT-NZFO cells. • M/S-CNT-NZFO demonstrated enhanced rate capabilities (527 mAh/g at 2C) for LiSBs. • CV measurements revealed controlled LPs formation, leading to stable Li 2 S 2 /Li 2 S. Developing lithium-sulfur batteries (LiSBs) performance is vital for sustainable development. This study presents an innovative approach to enhance LiSBs performance by fabricating a sulfur composite cathode using hybrid-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) denoted as M/S-CNT and a nickel-zinc ferrite (NZFO)-coated separator. The batteries with modified separators (M/S-CNT-NZFO) exhibited remarkable achievements, showcasing significantly enhanced high-rate capabilities [∼527 mAh/g at 3350 mA/g (2C)] and a substantial reduction in polarization. Cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed a diffusion-controlled dominated charge storage mechanism, and the modified separator effectively improved lithium-ion transportation, leading to a notable decrease in charge transfer resistance observed in the simulation of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) spectra. This work highlights the impressive high-rate capability and reduced polarization achieved in the M/S-CNT-NZFO cells. Recognizing that high-rate capability is crucial for fast-charging devices, this approach stands out as a compelling strategy to establish the electrochemical stability of LiSBs in applications demanding rapid charging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]