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Solvent-Dictated Sodium Sulfur Redox Reactions: Investigation of Carbonate and Ether Electrolytes

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  • Huang Zhang

    (Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE), Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), 127 West Youyi Road, Xi’an 710072, Shaanxi, China
    Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
    Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany)

  • Thomas Diemant

    (Institute of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, D-89081 Ulm, Germany)

  • Bingsheng Qin

    (Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
    Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany)

  • Huihua Li

    (Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
    Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany)

  • R. Jürgen Behm

    (Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
    Institute of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, D-89081 Ulm, Germany)

  • Stefano Passerini

    (Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
    Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany)

Abstract

Sulfur-based cathode chemistries are essential for the development of high energy density alkali-ion batteries. Here, we elucidate the redox kinetics of sulfur confined on carbon nanotubes, comparing its performance in ether-based and carbonate-based electrolytes at room temperature. The solvent is found to play a key role for the electrochemical reactivity of the sulfur cathode in sodium–sulfur (Na–S) batteries. Ether-based electrolytes contribute to a more complete reduction of sulfur and enable a higher electrochemical reversibility. On the other hand, an irreversible solution-phase reaction is observed in carbonate solvents. This study clearly reveals the solvent-dependent Na–S reaction pathways in room temperature Na–S batteries and provides an insight into realizing their high energy potential, via electrolyte formulation design.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang Zhang & Thomas Diemant & Bingsheng Qin & Huihua Li & R. Jürgen Behm & Stefano Passerini, 2020. "Solvent-Dictated Sodium Sulfur Redox Reactions: Investigation of Carbonate and Ether Electrolytes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-12, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:4:p:836-:d:320723
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaofu Xu & Dong Zhou & Xianying Qin & Kui Lin & Feiyu Kang & Baohua Li & Devaraj Shanmukaraj & Teofilo Rojo & Michel Armand & Guoxiu Wang, 2018. "A room-temperature sodium–sulfur battery with high capacity and stable cycling performance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
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