Titanium–oxo cluster reinforced gel polymer electrolyte enabling lithium–sulfur batteries with high gravimetric energy densities

Author(s): Fei Pei ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Shuqi Dai ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Baofu Guo ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Hao Xie ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Chaowei Zhao ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Jingqin Cui ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Xiaoliang Fang ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵ , Chengmeng Chen ⁶ ^, ⁷ ^, ⁸ ^, ⁹ ^, ¹⁰ , Nanfeng Zheng ¹ ^, ² ^, ³ ^, ⁴ ^, ⁵

Publication date (Electronic): 2021

Journal: Energy & Environmental Science

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

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Abstract

A titanium–oxo cluster-reinforced gel polymer electrolyte is developed to improve the performance of high-sulfur-loading lithium–sulfur batteries under lean electrolyte conditions.

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery research has flourished by upgrading the performances of sulfur cathodes and Li metal anodes under flooded electrolyte conditions. However, since high gravimetric energy density can only be achieved at a low electrolyte/sulfur (E/S) ratio, the severe performance degradation under lean electrolyte conditions is becoming a bottleneck in the development of Li–S batteries. Here we propose a new class of gel polymer electrolytes by using titanium–oxo clusters as reinforcements to construct low E/S batteries. The developed electrolyte has favorable mechanical properties and high Li-ion conductivity, as well as excellent capabilities to block polysulfide shuttling and suppress Li dendrite formation, enabling low E/S batteries to exhibit enhanced capacities and cycling stabilities. Remarkably, the low E/S (3 μL mg _S ⁻¹) battery fabricated with high sulfur loading (10 mg _S cm ⁻²) and low negative/positive capacity ratio (1/1) can deliver a gravimetric energy density of 423 W h kg ⁻¹ and continue to operate for 100 cycles. This study provides a new avenue for high-energy-density Li–S batteries.

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Toward Safe Lithium Metal Anode in Rechargeable Batteries: A Review.

Xin‐Bing Cheng, Rui Zhang, Chen‐Zi Zhao … (2017)

The lithium metal battery is strongly considered to be one of the most promising candidates for high-energy-density energy storage devices in our modern and technology-based society. However, uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth induces poor cycling efficiency and severe safety concerns, dragging lithium metal batteries out of practical applications. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the lithium metal anode and its dendritic lithium growth. First, the working principles and technical challenges of a lithium metal anode are underscored. Specific attention is paid to the mechanistic understandings and quantitative models for solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, lithium dendrite nucleation, and growth. On the basis of previous theoretical understanding and analysis, recently proposed strategies to suppress dendrite growth of lithium metal anode and some other metal anodes are reviewed. A section dedicated to the potential of full-cell lithium metal batteries for practical applications is included. A general conclusion and a perspective on the current limitations and recommended future research directions of lithium metal batteries are presented. The review concludes with an attempt at summarizing the theoretical and experimental achievements in lithium metal anodes and endeavors to realize the practical applications of lithium metal batteries.