Designing Moderately‐Solvating Electrolytes for High‐Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Abstract
Abstract New electrolytes are critical for high‐energy lithium (Li)–sulfur (S) batteries (LSBs) to ensure their stability against Li metal anode and polysulfides (PSs) shuttling which hinder the large‐scale application of LSBs. In this study, the design principle of moderately solvating electrolytes (MSEs) for LSBs is demonstrated by using a multiple‐solvent system comprising of a highly solvating solvent, a weakly solvating solvent, and a non‐solvating solvent to create a well‐balanced electrolyte system. This resulting electrolyte significantly improves the cycle life of LSBs, achieving 300 cycles, which is twice as long as that of similar cells with the conventional electrolyte and it also ensures stable calendar life for at least seven months. The optimal MSE forms robust passivation layers enhancing the structural integrity of both S and Li metal electrodes after cycling. These virtues effectively hinder parasitic side reactions and self‐discharge behavior of LSBs. This electrolyte design principle is versatile and can be applied to other battery chemistries, providing a potential path toward the development of a more efficient and stable battery system. By addressing key challenges such as the instability of electrodes and shuttling of polysulfides, this electrolyte approach offers promising solutions for advancing LSB technology.
Article Details
Authors (23)
David J. Kautz
Energy and Environment Directorate Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland WA 99354 USA
Xia Cao
Peiyuan Gao
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Shuo Feng
State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science
Qian Zhao
Zhejiang University , , ,
Saurabh Parab
Department of Nano Engineering University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
Yaobin Xu
Joseph P. Quinn
Energy and Environment Directorate Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland WA 99354 USA
Muhammad Mominur Rahman
Chemistry Division Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton NY 11973 USA
Sha Tan
Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies, Zhejiang Normal University 1 , 1108 Gengwen Road, Hangzhou 311231, Zhejiang Province,
Xin Zhang
Sanaz Ketabi
General Motors Research and Development Center Warren MI 48092 USA
Aqsa Nazir
Energy and Environment Directorate Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland WA 99354 USA
Junxia Wang
Fang Dai
Shen Wang
Dongping Lu
School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Enyuan Hu
Chemistry Division
Y. Shirley Meng
Department of Nano Engineering University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093 USA
Chongmin Wang
Jun Liu
Ji‐Guang Zhang
Energy and Environment Directorate Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland Washington USA
Wu Xu
State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science