A saccharide-based binder for efficient polysulfide regulations in Li-S batteries

Abstract

The viability of lithium-sulfur batteries as an energy storage technology depends on unlocking long-term cycle stability. Most instability stems from the release and transport of polysulfides from the cathode, which causes mossy growth on the lithium anode, leading to continuous consumption of electrolyte. Therefore, development of a durable cathode with minimal polysulfide escape is critical. Here, we present a saccharide-based binder system that has a capacity for the regulation of polysulfides due to its reducing properties. Furthermore, the binder promotes the formation of viscoelastic filaments during casting which endows the sulfur cathode with a desirable web-like microstructure. Taken together this leads to 97% sulfur utilisation with a cycle life of 1000 cycles (9 months) and capacity retention (around 700 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles). A pouch cell prototype with a specific energy of up to 206 Wh kg−1 is produced, demonstrating the promising potential for practical applications.

Enhanced Polysulfide Conversion with Highly Conductive and Electrocatalytic Iodine‐Doped Bismuth Selenide Nanosheets in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…The charge and discharge profiles of the different electrodes displayed in Figure S13, Supporting Information, show the I-Bi 2 Se 3 /S electrode to be characterized by significantly lower overpotentials for phase conversion between soluble LiPS and insoluble Li 2 S 2 /Li 2 S, which further demonstrates the enhanced electrochemical kinetics of I-Bi 2 Se 3 /S. [62] The GCD voltage profiles of I-Bi 2 Se 3 /S electrodes at various current densities, from 1.0 to 4 C, are shown in Figure 4c. Two discharge plateaus and one charge plateau were maintained even at the highest current rates tested, which is in contrast with the results obtained from Super P/S electrodes (Figure S14, Supporting Information).…”

“…The charge and discharge profiles of the different electrodes displayed in Figure S13, Supporting Information, show the I‐Bi 2 Se 3 /S electrode to be characterized by significantly lower overpotentials for phase conversion between soluble LiPS and insoluble Li 2 S 2 /Li 2 S, which further demonstrates the enhanced electrochemical kinetics of I‐Bi 2 Se 3 /S. [ 62 ]…”

Chemical stability of sulfide solid-state electrolytes: stability toward humid air and compatibility with solvents and binders

“…Firstly, this lowers the possible nucleophilic attack on the S-SE from the binder; secondly, the smaller the size of the binder, the easier it will be to dissolve in nonpolar solvents; and thirdly, there is less agglomeration of the binder on the surface of the material, which is beneficial to have better Li-ion mobility from the cathode to the S-SE. 167,229 Recently, Lu et al proposed glovebox-free synthesis of S-SE in ambient air with superb air/moisture stability for the first time. 184 From raw materials to the final products, the whole synthesis way in this new method is an only one-step process, distinctively different from the conventional tedious multistep synthesis method in the glovebox, thus improving the yield and time-efficiency, and cutting the cost.…”

Lithium in the Green Energy Transition: The Quest for Both Sustainability and Security

“…A rapidly growing scientific literature explores the increased use of lithium to meet societal needs. Major areas of study have been focused on the promising applications of lithium [11,12], drivers of demand for lithium and lithium price volatility [13][14][15], the global demand and supply dynamics [16], production trends [17], security issues in the supply chain [18], and the socio-environmental impacts of lithium extraction and processing [19]. In this investigation, we complement this research by exploring the socioenvironmental impacts of lithium development, especially as they relate to local community acceptance/support of the processes of lithium extraction and processing.…”