A layered porous ZrO 2 /RGO composite as sulfur host for lithium–sulfur batteries

A new layered porous nanostructure with ZrO 2 nanoparticles attached on the reduced graphene oxide (ZrO 2 /RGO) was synthesized by a facile solvothermal process. The resulting ZrO 2 /RGO composite with well-designed mesoporous structure and excellent conductivity not only served as scaffold to house sulfur but also as polysulfide reservoir for lithium–sulfur batteries. This nanostructured S@ZrO 2 /RGO electrode exhibits enhanced cycling stability, high specific capacity, and superior coulombic efficiency.