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Title: Dense Graphene Monolith for High Volumetric Energy Density Li-S Batteries

Journal Article · · Advanced Energy Materials
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  1. Tianjin Univ., Tianjin (China)
  2. Tsinghua Univ., Shenzhen (China)
  3. UNSW Australia (The Univ. of New South Wales), Sydney, NSW (Australia)
  4. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
  5. Tianjin Univ., Tianjin (China); Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin (China)

Despite the outstanding gravimetric performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, their practical volumetric energy density is normally lower than that of lithium-ion batteries, mainly due to the low density of nanostructured sulfur as well as the porous carbon hosts. Here, a novel approach is developed to fabricate high-density graphene bulk materials with ink-bottle-like mesopores by phosphoric acid (H3PO4) activation. These pores can effectively confine the polysulfides due to their unique structure with a wide body and narrow neck, which shows only a 0.05% capacity fade per cycle for 500 cycles (75% capacity retention) for accommodating polysulfides. With a density of 1.16 g cm-3, a hybrid cathode containing 54 wt% sulfur delivers a high volumetric capacity of 653 mA h cm-3. As a result, a device-level volumetric energy density as high as 408 W h L-1 is achieved with a cathode thickness of 100 mu m. This is a periodic yet practical advance to improve the volumetric performance of Li-S batteries from a device perspective. Furthermore, this work suggests a design principle for the real use Li-S batteries although there is a long way ahead to bridge the gap between Li-S batteries and Li-ion batteries in volumetric performance.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Vehicle Technologies Office (EE-3V); National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1466311
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1425506
Journal Information:
Advanced Energy Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Energy Materials Journal Issue: 18 Vol. 8; ISSN 1614-6832
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Ultrahigh Nitrogen Doping of Carbon Nanosheets for High Capacity and Long Cycling Potassium Ion Storage journal October 2019
Sulfur-anchored azulene as a cathode material for Li–S batteries journal January 2019
Three-dimensional porous carbon materials and their composites as electrodes for electrochemical energy storage systems journal January 2019
Nickel–Cobalt Double Hydroxide as a Multifunctional Mediator for Ultrahigh‐Rate and Ultralong‐Life Li–S Batteries journal October 2018
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Nano-SiO 2 -embedded poly(propylene carbonate)-based composite gel polymer electrolyte for lithium–sulfur batteries journal January 2018
Basicity‐Engineered Graphite Fluoride Functionalization and Beyond: An Unusual Reaction between Ultraweak Nucleophile and Ultrastrong CF Bonds journal September 2019
Dense monolithic MOF and carbon nanotube hybrid with enhanced volumetric and areal capacities for lithium–sulfur battery journal January 2019
Discarded cigarette filter-derived hierarchically porous carbon@graphene composites for lithium–sulfur batteries journal January 2019