Improving Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance under Lean Electrolyte through Nanoscale Confinement in Soft Swellable Gels

Junzheng Chen, Wesley A. Henderson, Huilin Pan, Brian R. Perdue, Ruiguo Cao, Jian Zhi Hu, Chuan Wan, Kee Sung Han, Karl T. Mueller, Ji Guang Zhang, Yuyan Shao, Jun Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

123 Scopus citations

Abstract

Li-S batteries have been extensively studied using rigid carbon as the host for sulfur encapsulation, but improving the properties with a reduced electrolyte amount remains a significant challenge. This is critical for achieving high energy density. Here, we developed a soft PEO10LiTFSI polymer swellable gel as a nanoscale reservoir to trap the polysulfides under lean electrolyte conditions. The PEO10LiTFSI gel immobilizes the electrolyte and confines polysulfides within the ion conducting phase. The Li-S cell with a much lower electrolyte to sulfur ratio (E/S) of 4 gE/gS (3.3 mLE/gS) could deliver a capacity of 1200 mA h/g, 4.6 mA h/cm2, and good cycle life. The accumulation of polysulfide reduction products, such as Li2S, on the cathode, is identified as the potential mechanism for capacity fading under lean electrolyte conditions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3061-3067
Number of pages7
JournalNano letters
Volume17
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 10 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Bioengineering
  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering

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