The fish scale derived hierarchical porous carbon has been studied as an inhibitor to capture the polysulfides for lithium- sulfur battery by ex situ ultraviolet- visible absorption spectroscopy and SEM analysis. The results showed that the capacity retention of the cathode with porous carbon as additive increased from 44% to 59% after 50 cycles at 0.1 C compared with the common cathode. Attracted on the excellent performance of cathode with porous carbon, the asymmetry electrode was fabricated by coating a porous layer on the cathode to trap the polysulfides produced during the discharge- charge process further. The initial discharge specific capacity is 1426 mAhg(-1) with a capacity retention of 81% after 50 cycles at 1 C, and retains a reversible capacity of 990 mAhg(-1) after 100 cycles with coulombic efficiency above 98%. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.