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Published on: March 7, 2018
Boosting Solid-Solid Conversion Kinetics via Electron-Pinned Interface Engineering for High-Energy-Density Li-S
Li Jin1, Zhengqian Jin1, Teng Deng1
1School of Chemistry, Engineering Research Center of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, Ministry of Education, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Researchers developed a novel catalyst for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, improving performance under lean electrolyte conditions. This electron-pinned interface catalyst (EPIC) enhances sulfur reduction kinetics for higher energy density and longer cycle life in Li-S batteries.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- High-energy-density lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries require lean electrolyte conditions.
- Sluggish sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) kinetics, particularly in the solid-solid conversion stage, limit Li-S battery performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a catalyst architecture that overcomes kinetic limitations in SRR under lean electrolyte conditions.
- To develop a novel catalyst that enhances the efficiency of the "solid-solid" conversion stage in Li-S batteries.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a catalyst architecture integrating "long-range order" with "local disorder" (a-FeOOH@Fe/AlO x).
- Utilizing operando studies and Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations to investigate catalytic mechanisms.
- Employing amorphous nanodomain modification and local electronic structure regulation.
Main Results:
- The catalyst, a-FeOOH@Fe/AlO x, demonstrates synergistic catalytic enhancement through multi-level electronic interactions.
- Operando studies and DFT simulations confirm the catalyst establishes conductive pathways, decoupling the SRR process and enhancing "solid-solid" conversion efficiency.
- Achieved a high areal capacity of 10.7 mAh·cm -2 at a sulfur loading of 10.2 mg·cm -2 , 94.2% capacity retention over 150 cycles, and enabled a 3.6 Ah pouch cell with 418.6 Wh·kg -1 energy density.
Conclusions:
- The developed electron-pinned interface catalyst (EPIC) effectively overcomes kinetic limitations in lean electrolyte conditions for Li-S batteries.
- The gradient-ordered active sites and regulated electronic structure provide a novel design paradigm for high-energy-density Li-S batteries.
- This strategy offers valuable insights for advancing future Li-S battery technology.
