{
  "abstract": "Lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries offer a high theoretical energy density of 2600 Wh·kg−1 and a theoretical specific capacity of 1675 mAh·g−1; however, their practical application is severely hindered by the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides, the intrinsic electronic insulating nature of sulfur and Li2S, and the substantial volume variation during charge/discharge processes. In this study, titanium nitride (TiN) powder was first prepared, and a carbon nanofiber/titanium nitride (CNF@TiN) composite nanofiber membrane was subsequently fabricated by electrospinning followed by pre-oxidation/carbonization treatment and employed as a functional interlayer between the separator and sulfur cathode. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that the obtained TiN possessed a well-crystallized face-centered cubic structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed that TiN particles were relatively uniformly dispersed and anchored within the three-dimensional interconnected CNF network. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses of the composite and the TiN powder confirmed the presence of Ti–N bonding, revealed N/O-containing functional groups on the carbon scaffold, and indicated only a thin oxidized layer on the TiN particle surface. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis confirmed the porous character of the fibrous interlayers. Electrochemical tests showed that the cell equipped with the CNF@TiN interlayer delivered an initial discharge specific capacity of 1205 mAh·g−1 at 0.1 C and retained a reversible capacity of approximately 1010 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles. At 0.2 C, the initial discharge specific capacity was approximately 1065 mAh·g−1, and approximately 875 mAh·g−1 was retained after 300 cycles, corresponding to a capacity retention of 82.2% and an average capacity decay of approximately 0.059% per cycle. Rate capability, cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements indicated that the CNF@TiN interlayer favors reversible sulfur-species conversion and improved interfacial reaction kinetics. The enhanced performance can be attributed to the physical confinement, electron-transport, and structural-support functions of the CNF network, together with the polar TiN interface, whose presence is consistent with restricted polysulfide migration and facilitated interfacial conversion. This work provides a feasible strategy for designing multifunctional interlayers integrating electrical conductivity, physical confinement, and interfacial regulation for Li-S batteries.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Physics and Electronic Science, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China",
    "Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion Photoelectronic Functional Materials of Jiangxi Education Institutes, School of Mathematics and Physics, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China",
    "Shinawatra University, 99, Bang Toei, Sam Khok District, Pathum Thani 12160, Thailand",
    "School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Chaoqun Niu",
      "orcid": "0009-0009-2741-7707"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Huan Liu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Zisheng Chao"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/566zpv38x12nd.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/molecules31203628",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13707449/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "566zpv38x12nd",
  "issns": [
    "1420-3049"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3628",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2208|Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221515439",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13707449/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13707449",
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-01",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/566zpv38x12nd.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:42Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/molecules31203628",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3628"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:21:31Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13707449",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13707449"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "issn:1420-3049",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber–TiN Composite Interlayers for Improved Cycling Stability and Rate Capability of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries",
  "title_text": "Electrospun Carbon Nanofiber–TiN Composite Interlayers for Improved Cycling Stability and Rate Capability of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:31Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/566zpv38x12nd",
  "venue": "Molecules",
  "versions": []
}