Hybrids of La2O3 nanoplates anchored in three-dimensional carbon nanotubes microspheres as efficient sulfur-hosts for highperformance lithium/sulfur batteries

•A sphere-shaped S/CNTs/La2O3 composite is prepared by one-pot spray drying method.•La2O3 nanoplates anchor in twisted CNTs microsphere to form efficient sulfur hosts.•Physical and chemical adsorptions in S/CNTs/La2O3 produce good battery performances. A S/CNTs/La2O3 composite with microsphere morphology was prepared by facile one-pot spray drying method. La2O3 nanoplates are anchored tightly in interlaced CNTs framework to form a highly efficient sulfur host. Benefiting from synergistic effects of nonpolar CNTs and polar La2O3 in both enhancing conductivity and capturing polysulfide by physical and chemical adsorptions, the novel S/CNTs/La2O3 composite exhibited superior electrochemical properties in lithium/sulfur battery. The S/CNTs/La2O3 cathode exhibited initial reversible discharge capacity of 1251 mAh g−1 and maintained 1011 mAh g−1 capacity after 100 cycles at 0.1 C. The capacity decay rate of S/CNTs/La2O3 cathode was as low as 0.067% per cycle over 300 cycles at 1.0 C, showing good long-cycling stability.