In situ formation of protective coatings on sulfur cathodes in lithium batteries with lifsi-based organic electrolytes

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Hyea Kim - , Georgia Institute of Technology, Sila Nanotechnologies (Author)
  • Feixiang Wu - , Georgia Institute of Technology, Central South University (Author)
  • Jung Tae Lee - , Georgia Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Naoki Nitta - , Georgia Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Huan Ting Lin - , Georgia Institute of Technology (Author)
  • Martin Oschatz - , Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I (Author)
  • Won Il Cho - , Korea Institute of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Stefan Kaskel - , Chair of Inorganic Chemistry I (Author)
  • Oleg Borodin - , United States Army Research Laboratory (Author)
  • Gleb Yushin - , Georgia Institute of Technology (Author)

Abstract

Development of sulfur cathodes with 100% coulombic efficiency (CE) and good cycle stability remains challenging due to the polysulfide dissolution in electrolytes. Here, it is demonstrated that electrochemical reduction of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) based electrolytes at a potential close to the sulfur cathode operation forms in situ protective coating on both cathode and anode surfaces. Quantum chemistry studies suggest the coating formation is initiated by the FSI(-F) anion radicals generated during electrolyte reduction. Such a reduction additionally results in the formation of LiF. Accelerated cycle stability tests at 60 °C in a very simple electrolyte (LiFSI in dimethoxyethane with no additives) show an average CE approaching 100.0% over 1000 cycles with a capacity decay less than 0.013% per cycle after stabilization. Such a remarkable performance suggests a great promise of both an in situ formation of protective solid electrolyte coatings to avoid unwanted side reactions and the use of a LiFSI salt for this purpose.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1401792
JournalAdvanced energy materials
Volume5
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • batteries, dissolution, cathodes, electrolytes, protective coatings