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Direct observation of lithium polysulfides in lithium–sulfur batteries using operando X-ray diffraction

Author

Listed:
  • Joanna Conder

    (Paul Scherrer Institute, Electrochemistry Laboratory)

  • Renaud Bouchet

    (Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP, LEPMI Laboratory)

  • Sigita Trabesinger

    (Paul Scherrer Institute, Electrochemistry Laboratory)

  • Cyril Marino

    (Paul Scherrer Institute, Electrochemistry Laboratory)

  • Lorenz Gubler

    (Paul Scherrer Institute, Electrochemistry Laboratory)

  • Claire Villevieille

    (Paul Scherrer Institute, Electrochemistry Laboratory)

Abstract

In the on going quest towards lithium-battery chemistries beyond the lithium-ion technology, the lithium–sulfur system is emerging as one of the most promising candidates. The major outstanding challenge on the route to commercialization is controlling the so-called polysulfide shuttle, which is responsible for the poor cycling efficiency of the current generation of lithium–sulfur batteries. However, the mechanistic understanding of the reactions underlying the polysulfide shuttle is still incomplete. Here we report the direct observation of lithium polysulfides in a lithium–sulfur cell during operation by means of operando X-ray diffraction. We identify signatures of polysulfides adsorbed on the surface of a glass-fibre separator and monitor their evolution during cycling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the adsorption of the polysulfides onto SiO2 can be harnessed for buffering the polysulfide redox shuttle. The use of fumed silica as an electrolyte additive therefore significantly improves the specific charge and Coulombic efficiency of lithium–sulfur batteries.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Conder & Renaud Bouchet & Sigita Trabesinger & Cyril Marino & Lorenz Gubler & Claire Villevieille, 2017. "Direct observation of lithium polysulfides in lithium–sulfur batteries using operando X-ray diffraction," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(6), pages 1-7, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:2:y:2017:i:6:d:10.1038_nenergy.2017.69
    DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.69
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    Cited by:

    1. Shuangyan Lang & Seung-Ho Yu & Xinran Feng & Mihail R. Krumov & Héctor D. Abruña, 2022. "Understanding the lithium–sulfur battery redox reactions via operando confocal Raman microscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Fu Liu & Wenqing Lu & Jiaqiang Huang & Vanessa Pimenta & Steven Boles & Rezan Demir-Cakan & Jean-Marie Tarascon, 2023. "Detangling electrolyte chemical dynamics in lithium sulfur batteries by operando monitoring with optical resonance combs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Sang Cheol Kim & Xin Gao & Sheng-Lun Liao & Hance Su & Yuelang Chen & Wenbo Zhang & Louisa C. Greenburg & Jou-An Pan & Xueli Zheng & Yusheng Ye & Mun Sek Kim & Philaphon Sayavong & Aaron Brest & Jian , 2024. "Solvation-property relationship of lithium-sulphur battery electrolytes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Christian Prehal & Jean-Marc Mentlen & Sara Drvarič Talian & Alen Vizintin & Robert Dominko & Heinz Amenitsch & Lionel Porcar & Stefan A. Freunberger & Vanessa Wood, 2022. "On the nanoscale structural evolution of solid discharge products in lithium-sulfur batteries using operando scattering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

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