Manipulating Sulfur Mobility Enables Advanced Li-S Batteries

By Xue, Weijiang; Yu, Daiwei; Suo, Liumin; Wang, Chao; Wang, Ziqiang; Xu, Guiyin; Xiao, Xianghui; Ge, Mingyuan; Ko, Minseong; Chen, Yuming; Qie, Long; Zhu, Zhi; Helal, Ahmed S.; Lee, Wah-Keat; Li, Ju
Published in Matter 2019

Abstract

Summary Rational design of lithium-sulfur batteries calls for enhancing local sulfur mobility and electrocatalysis while suppressing global sulfur mobility (GSM) from cathode to anode and within cathode without sacrificing volumetric or gravimetric capacities. A multifunctional interlayer composed of electrochemically active Mo6S8 with fast topotactic/intercalation reactions, strong lithium polysulfide binding, and high electronic conductivity addresses these challenges. The electrocatalytic LixMo6S8 interlayer successfully solves the harmful stratification by preventing the Li2S clogging at the cathode/separator interface, thus resulting in a superior rate capability up to 4 C. Remarkably, the LixMo6S8 interlayer works well with the calendered high-loading sulfur cathode with much improved volumetric energy density at a pouch-cell level. An excellent capacity retention with high initial capacity is also achieved with high-sulfur-loading cathode and lean electrolyte.

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