Lithium sulfur batteries with tailored electrodes enabling the use of quasi solid-state electrolytes

Kurzfassung

Carbon xerogels with different size of feeder pores were developed and designed with defined amount of microporosity for immobilization of sulfur species within the cathode [1]. Preparation and associated effect on the electrochemical performance of such electrodes is investigated. To this end, the influence of preparation method such as grinding, handling, stability and viscosity on the wet coating process as well as on the quality of cathode sheet in terms of defects and flexibility is discussed elaborately. Furthermore, the infiltration of sulfur into the carbon matrix is particularly studied for this innovative class of carbon materials [2]. In order to immobilize the polysulfide anions, the strategy adopted in this work is that of employing innovative single ion conductor-solid polymer electrolytes (SLIC-SPEs), providing suppressed anion mobility. For this purpose, lithiated Nafion-based nanocomposite membranes were synthesized via dispersion of nano-additives bearing suitable functional groups [3]. Two nanostructures have been investigated: graphene oxide (GO) and Nanoscale Ionic Materials (NIM) functionalized membrane. The presence of nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix is of great interest not only due to the significant gains in thermal and mechanical stability, but also the consequential barrier effect, hindering the diffusion of polysulfides and enhancing the cyclability of the cell. The implementation of these kinds of membranes have already been successfully demonstrated for lithium ion battery cathode and in the presented work the incorporation in the lithium sulfur system is showcased. [1] Natalia Rey-Raap, Ana Arenillas, J. Angel Menendez, (2016), A visual validation of the combined effect of pH and dilution on the porosity of carbon xerogels, Elsevier, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 89-93 [2] Maryam Nojabaee, Brigitta Sievert, Marina Schwan, Jessica Schettler, Frieder Warth, Norbert Wagner, Barbara Milow, K. Andreas Friedrich, (2021), Ultramicroporous carbon aerogels encapsulating sulfur as the cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries, Royal Society of Chemistry, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 6508-6519 [3] Isabella Nicotera, Cataldo Simari, Marco Agostini, Apostolos Enotiadis, Sergio Brutti, (2016), A Novel Li+ Nafion-Sulfonated Graphene Oxide Membrane as Single Lithium-Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Batteries, The Journal of physical chemistry, 27406−27416