A low cost, high energy density and long cycle life potassium-sulfur battery for grid-scale energy storage

Journal Article · Sat Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Advanced Materials (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201502343· OSTI ID:1229967

Lu, Xiaochuan; Bowden, Mark E.; Sprenkle, Vincent L.; Liu, Jun

Alkali metal-sulfur batteries are attractive for energy storage applications because of their high energy density. Among the batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries typically use liquid in the battery electrolyte, which causes problems in both performance and safety. Sodium-sulfur batteries can use a solid electrolyte such as beta alumina but this requires a high operating temperature. Here we report a novel potassium-sulfur battery with K+-conducting beta-alumina as the electrolyte. Our studies indicate that liquid potassium exhibits much better wettability on the surface of beta-alumina compared to liquid sodium at lower temperatures. Based on this observation, we develop a potassium-sulfur battery that can operate at as low as 150°C with excellent performance. In particular, the battery shows excellent cycle life with negligible capacity fade in 1000 cycles because of the dense ceramic membrane. This study demonstrates a new battery with a high energy density, long cycle life, low cost and high safety, which is ideal for grid-scale energy storage.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1229967
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-111546; 47476; TE1400000
• Journal Information: Advanced Materials (Online), Journal Name: Advanced Materials (Online) Journal Issue: 39 Vol. 27; ISSN 1521-4095
• Publisher: Wiley
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory