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Chemisorption of polysulfides through redox reactions with organic molecules for lithium–sulfur batteries

Author

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  • Ge Li

    (Wenzhou University, Wenzhou
    University of Waterloo, Waterloo)

  • Xiaolei Wang

    (University of Waterloo, Waterloo
    Concordia University, Montreal)

  • Min Ho Seo

    (University of Waterloo, Waterloo
    Korea Institute of Energy Research, Buan-gun)

  • Matthew Li

    (University of Waterloo, Waterloo)

  • Lu Ma

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Yifei Yuan

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Tianpin Wu

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Aiping Yu

    (University of Waterloo, Waterloo)

  • Shun Wang

    (Wenzhou University, Wenzhou)

  • Jun Lu

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Zhongwei Chen

    (University of Waterloo, Waterloo)

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur battery possesses high energy density but suffers from severe capacity fading due to the dissolution of lithium polysulfides. Novel design and mechanisms to encapsulate lithium polysulfides are greatly desired by high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries towards practical applications. Herein, we report a strategy of utilizing anthraquinone, a natural abundant organic molecule, to suppress dissolution and diffusion of polysulfides species through redox reactions during cycling. The keto groups of anthraquinone play a critical role in forming strong Lewis acid-based chemical bonding. This mechanism leads to a long cycling stability of sulfur-based electrodes. With a high sulfur content of ~73%, a low capacity decay of 0.019% per cycle for 300 cycles and retention of 81.7% over 500 cycles at 0.5 C rate can be achieved. This finding and understanding paves an alternative avenue for the future design of sulfur–based cathodes toward the practical application of lithium–sulfur batteries.

Suggested Citation

  • Ge Li & Xiaolei Wang & Min Ho Seo & Matthew Li & Lu Ma & Yifei Yuan & Tianpin Wu & Aiping Yu & Shun Wang & Jun Lu & Zhongwei Chen, 2018. "Chemisorption of polysulfides through redox reactions with organic molecules for lithium–sulfur batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-03116-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03116-z
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