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Reversible Solid-Solid Conversion of Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile Cathodes in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries by Weakly
Tao Ma1,2, Youxuan Ni1,2, Diantao Li1,2
1Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|September 5, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel dilute ether electrolyte for lithium-sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (Li-SPAN) batteries. This electrolyte enables stable operation across wide temperatures by preventing polysulfide shuttle and improving lithium metal anode compatibility.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Lithium-sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (Li-SPAN) batteries face challenges with conventional electrolytes.
- Carbonate electrolytes are incompatible with Li metal anodes, while ether electrolytes suffer from the shuttle effect and capacity fading.
Purpose of the Study:
- To tailor a dilute electrolyte compatible with both SPAN cathodes and Li metal anodes.
- To enhance the electrochemical performance and stability of Li-SPAN full cells.
Main Methods:
- Development of a dilute ether electrolyte with low solvating power.
- Investigation of "solid-solid" conversion mechanism in SPAN cathodes.
- Analysis of cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) formation and polysulfide blocking.
- Evaluation of Li deposition/stripping kinetics and full cell performance at various temperatures.
Main Results:
- The tailored electrolyte enables reversible "solid-solid" conversion of SPAN.
- A robust CEI is formed, effectively suppressing polysulfide dissolution and the shuttle effect.
- Fast Li-ion kinetics and highly reversible Li deposition/stripping are achieved from 25°C to -40°C.
- Li-SPAN full cells with high loading SPAN cathodes demonstrate stable operation over a wide temperature range.
- A Li-SPAN pouch cell operated stably for over a month under lean electrolyte conditions.
Conclusions:
- The developed weakly solvating ether electrolyte overcomes key limitations in Li-SPAN battery technology.
- This electrolyte design promotes stable and efficient energy storage in Li-SPAN systems.
- The findings pave the way for practical, wide-temperature-range Li-SPAN battery applications.
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