A new type of electrode for lithium–sulphur batteries is introduced based on vertical-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on a nickel foil without any binder. The electrodes are synthesized by employing a catalyst layer and a CVD process. The CNTs directly synthesized on the Ni current collector are sulphur infiltrated using different approaches and the results are examined by SEM. Furthermore, cycle tests (1.0–3.0 V) with various electrolytes (liquid organic, ionic liquid and solid) are performed. The binder free CNT cathodes contain the highest so far published total ratio of sulphur (90%) in the electrode. Additionally the sulphur mass per cm² electrode can be more than three times as high as in regular slurry-based sulphur electrodes, thus doubling the volumetric energy density.