Symmetric lithium sulfide – Sulfur cells: A method to study degradation mechanisms of cathode, separator and electrolyte concepts for lithium-sulfur batteries
Piwko M, Weller C, Hippauf F, Doerfler S, Althues H, Kaskel S (2018)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2018
Journal
Book Volume: 165
Pages Range: A1084-A1091
Journal Issue: 5
DOI: 10.1149/2.1131805jes
Abstract
Novel cathode, electrolyte and separator concepts are expected to improve the capacity retention and cycle life of lithium-sulfur batteries by avoiding the dissolution of polysulfide-intermediates into the electrolyte or preventing their diffusion to and reaction with the lithium metal anode. However, their intrinsic evaluation is obscured by ill-defined degradation mechanisms of the lithium counter electrode due to electrolyte and polysulfide consumption during reformation of the solid electrolyte interface. Herein, we introduce symmetric lithium sulfide – sulfur cells to study the “cathode" specific degradation mechanisms of the cathode/electrolyte/separator-system in order to differentiate cathode-, separator, and electrolyte and lithium metal anode degradation. Two identical carbon/sulfur-composite cathodes, either of them one at first lithiated versus lithium, are assembled in a coin cell versus each other. The virtue of this test cell design is demonstrated evaluating prime shuttle-suppression concepts, namely a Nafion-coated polyolefin separator and a sparingly polysulfide-solvating electrolyte. We conclude that symmetric lithium sulfide – sulfur cells provide a valuable methodology to analyze the intrinsic capacity decay and cycle life of cathodes for lithium-sulfur cells with limited solvation and/or blocking of polysulfides, and it is an essential strategy to distinguish cathode from lithium anode degradation.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Piwko, M., Weller, C., Hippauf, F., Doerfler, S., Althues, H., & Kaskel, S. (2018). Symmetric lithium sulfide – Sulfur cells: A method to study degradation mechanisms of cathode, separator and electrolyte concepts for lithium-sulfur batteries. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 165(5), A1084-A1091. https://doi.org/10.1149/2.1131805jes
MLA:
Piwko, Markus, et al. "Symmetric lithium sulfide – Sulfur cells: A method to study degradation mechanisms of cathode, separator and electrolyte concepts for lithium-sulfur batteries." Journal of The Electrochemical Society 165.5 (2018): A1084-A1091.
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