Solvation-property relationship of lithium-sulphur battery electrolytes

Kim, Sang Cheol; Gao, Xin; Liao, Sheng-Lun; Su, Hance; Chen, Yuelang; Zhang, Wenbo; Greenburg, Louisa C.; Pan, Jou-An; Zheng, Xueli; Ye, Yusheng; Kim, Mun Sek; Sayavong, Philaphon; Brest, Aaron; Qin, Jian; Bao, Zhenan; Cui, Yi

doi:10.1038/s41467-023-44527-x

Solvation-property relationship of lithium-sulphur battery electrolytes

Journal Article · Sat Feb 10 04:00:00 EST 2024 · Nature Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44527-x· OSTI ID:2301700

; Gao, Xin; Liao, Sheng-Lun; ; ; ; Greenburg, Louisa C.; Pan, Jou-An; ; ; ; ; Brest, Aaron; ; ;

Abstract

The Li-S battery is a promising next-generation battery chemistry that offers high energy density and low cost. The Li-S battery has a unique chemistry with intermediate sulphur species readily solvated in electrolytes, and understanding their implications is important from both practical and fundamental perspectives. In this study, we utilise the solvation free energy of electrolytes as a metric to formulate solvation-property relationships in various electrolytes and investigate their impact on the solvated lithium polysulphides. We find that solvation free energy influences Li-S battery voltage profile, lithium polysulphide solubility, Li-S battery cyclability and the Li metal anode; weaker solvation leads to lower 1 ^st plateau voltage, higher 2 ^nd plateau voltage, lower lithium polysulphide solubility, and superior cyclability of Li-S full cells and Li metal anodes. We believe that relationships delineated in this study can guide the design of high-performance electrolytes for Li-S batteries.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2301700

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2319241

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 15; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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