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Title: In Situ NMR Observation of the Temporal Speciation of Lithium Sulfur Batteries during Electrochemical Cycling

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry. C
ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]; ORCiD logo [3];  [4];  [1];  [1]
  1. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, Chemical Sciences and Engineering
  2. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Chemical Sciences and Engineering
  3. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Joint Center for Energy Storage Research; Univ. of Waterloo, ON (Canada). Dept. of Chemistry
  4. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, X-ray Science Division

The understanding of the reaction mechanism and temporal speciation of the lithium sulfur batteries is challenged by complex polysulfide disproportionation chemistry coupled with the precipitation and dissolution of species. In this report, for the first time, we present a comprehensive method to investigate lithium sulfur electrochemistry using in situ 7Li NMR spectroscopy, a technique that is capable of quantitatively capturing the evolution of the soluble and precipitated lithium (poly)sulfides during electrochemical cycling. Furthermore, through deconvolution and quantification, every lithium-bearing species was closely tracked and four-step soluble lithium polysulfide-mediated lithium sulfur electrochemistry was demonstrated in never before seen detail. Significant irreversible accumulation of Li2S is observed on the Li metal anode after four cycles because of sulfur shuttling. We present the application of the method in order to study electrolyte/additive development and lithium protection research can be readily envisaged.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1392950
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Vol. 121, Issue 11; ISSN 1932-7447
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 35 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (9)

Self-Discharge Behavior of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries at Different Electrolyte/Sulfur Ratios journal January 2019
In Situ Techniques for Developing Robust Li-S Batteries journal August 2018
Progress on the Critical Parameters for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries to be Practically Viable journal May 2018
Irreversible vs Reversible Capacity Fade of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries during Cycling: The Effects of Precipitation and Shuttle journal June 2017
Solid-State Lithium/Selenium-Sulfur Chemistry Enabled via a Robust Solid-Electrolyte Interphase journal November 2018
Polysulfide Speciation in the Bulk Electrolyte of a Lithium Sulfur Battery journal January 2018
A Comprehensive Understanding of Lithium–Sulfur Battery Technology journal June 2019
The Progress of Li-S Batteries-Understanding of the Sulfur Redox Mechanism: Dissolved Polysulfide Ions in the Electrolytes journal June 2018
Deciphering the Reaction Mechanism of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries by In Situ/Operando Synchrotron‐Based Characterization Techniques journal March 2019