▎ 摘　　要

Graphene nanosheets (GNs) functionalized attapulgite (ATTP)/sulfur (ATTP@GNs/S) composites were prepared through the melt-diffusion method, and investigated as cathode of lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Owing to the strong adsorption capability and sulfur/lithium polysulfides (Li2Sn) confinement of the natural ATTP nanofibers and partially reduced GNs, ATTP/S and ATTP@GNs/S exhibit improved electrochemical performance compared to elemental sulfur. The ATTP@GNs/S composite shows an initial discharge capacity of 1143.9 mAh g(-1), and a reversible capacity of ca. 512.0 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at 0.1 C, giving a capacity decay rate of as low as 0.5% per cycle. This research demonstrates the possibility of utilizing ATTP as sulfur host matrix or as cathode additives for enhanced energy storage capability of Li-S batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.