Structure-Property of Lithium-Sulfur Nanoparticles via Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries offer higher energy densities than most reported lithium-ion batteries. However, our understanding of Li-S battery is still largely unknown at the level of the nanoscale. The structural properties of Li-S materials were investigated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the ReaxFF force field. Several Li-S nanoparticles with different Li/S composition ratios (2:1 and 2:8) and various structures are studied. Our MD simulations show that among the four structures we constructed for Li₂S₈ nanoparticles, the core-shell structure is the most thermodynamically stable one during the charging (delithiation) process. In contrast to bulk crystal Li₂S, we find the presence of mixed lithium sulfide and polysulfide species are common features for these Li-S (Li₂S, Li₂S₈) nanoparticles. The complex distribution of these sulfide and polysulfide speciation are dictated by both stoichiometry and local atomic structures in the nanoparticle. These findings will provide insight into further development of functionalized lithium-sulfur cathodes.