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Tuning the electrolyte network structure to invoke quasi-solid state sulfur conversion and suppress lithium dendrite formation in Li–S batteries

Nature Energy volume 3, pages 783–791 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

The lithium–sulfur battery is promising as an alternative to conventional lithium-ion technology due to the high energy density of both sulfur and lithium metal electrodes. An extended lifetime has been demonstrated, but two notable challenges still exist to realize its full potential: to overcome the undesired high electrolyte/sulfur ratio required for the catholyte-type mechanism that governs most cell configurations, and to inhibit Li dendrite growth and its parasitic reaction with the electrolyte that results in cell degradation. Here, we demonstrate that by tuning the electrolyte structure, the challenges at both electrodes can be tackled simultaneously. Specifically, the sulfur speciation pathway transforms from a dissolution–precipitation route to a quasi-solid state conversion in the presence of a lowered solvent activity and an extended electrolyte network, curtailing the need for high electrolyte volumes. Ab initio calculations reveal the nature of the network structure. With such an optimized structure, the electrolyte allows dendrite-free Li plating and shows a 20-fold reduction in parasitic reactions with Li, which avoids electrolyte consumption and greatly extends the life time of a low electrolyte/sulfur (5 µl mg–1) sulfur cell.

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Fig. 1: Spectroscopic and computational studies on the electrolyte structure of the G2:LiTFSI system.
Fig. 2: The electrochemistry profiles of sulfur cells in the G2:LiTFSI electrolytes.
Fig. 3: Operando XRD studies and characterization of the discharged products over cycling.
Fig. 4: The Li plating and stripping behaviour in different G2:LiTFSI electrolytes.
Fig. 5: XPS characterization of the Li anode SEI at a fully stripped status after ten cycles in Cu|Li cells.
Fig. 6: The electrochemical performances of Li–S cells using a low E/S ratio.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported as part of the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), an Energy Innovation Hub funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences. L.F.N. also thanks the NSERC for generous support via their Canada Research Chair and Discovery Grant programmes. We appreciate helpful discussions with T. Watkins and K. Zavadil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    Quan Pang, Abhinandan Shyamsunder, Chun Yuen Kwok & Linda F. Nazar

  2. Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), Argonne, IL, USA

    Quan Pang, Abhinandan Shyamsunder, Badri Narayanan, Chun Yuen Kwok, Larry A. Curtiss & Linda F. Nazar

  3. Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA

    Badri Narayanan & Larry A. Curtiss

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Contributions

Q.P. and L.F.N. conceived the concept. Q.P. designed the experimental work. B.N. and Q.P. designed the computational work. Q.P. prepared the electrolytes and performed the physical characterization of the electrolytes and electrodes, electrochemistry measurements and the operando XRD studies. A.S. conducted the NMR experiments, and assisted with the electrolyte preparation, Raman studies and electrochemistry measurements. B.N. and L.A.C. carried out the computational work. C.Y.K. conducted the ionic conductivity measurements. Q.P, L.F.N. and L.A.C. proposed the sulfur reaction pathways. All authors have thoroughly discussed the analysis of the data. Q.P., B.N., L.A.C. and L.F.N. wrote the manuscripts with contributions from all authors. L.F.N. supervised the work.

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Correspondence to Linda F. Nazar.

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Pang, Q., Shyamsunder, A., Narayanan, B. et al. Tuning the electrolyte network structure to invoke quasi-solid state sulfur conversion and suppress lithium dendrite formation in Li–S batteries. Nat Energy 3, 783–791 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-018-0214-0

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