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Compositions and Formation Mechanisms of Solid-Electrolyte Interphase on Microporous Carbon/Sulfur Cathodes

Journal Article · · Chemistry of Materials
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [3];  [2];  [4];  [1];  [5]
  1. Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States). Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
  2. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
  3. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  4. Army Research Lab., Adelphi, MD (United States). Electrochemistry Branch, Power and Energy Division Sensor and Electron Devices Directorate
  5. Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States). Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

We report the formation mechanism and compositions of a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on a microporous carbon/sulfur (MC/S) cathode in Li–S batteries using a carbonate-based electrolyte (1 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate, v:v = 1:1). Through characterizations using 1D and 2D solution-phase nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, coupled with model chemical reactions and DFT calculations, we have identified two critical roles of Li+ in steering the SEI formation. First, the preferential solvation of Li+ by EC in the mixed carbonate electrolyte renders EC as the dominant participant in the SEI formation, and second, Li+ coordination to the EC carbonyl alters activation barriers and changes the reaction pathways relative to Na+. The main organic components in the SEI are identified as lithium ethylene monocarbonate and lithium methyl carbonate, which are virtually identical to those formed on Li and graphite anodes of lithium-ion batteries but via a different pathway.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; SC0001160; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1634803
Report Number(s):
SAND--2020-5284J; 686230
Journal Information:
Chemistry of Materials, Journal Name: Chemistry of Materials Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 32; ISSN 0897-4756
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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