A natural carbonized leaf as polysulfide diffusion inhibitor for high-performance lithium-sulfur battery cells.
Attracted by the unique tissue and functions of leaves, a natural carbonized leaf (CL) is presented as a polysulfide diffusion inhibitor in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The CL that is covered on the pure sulfur cathode effectively suppresses the polysulfide shuttling mechanism and enables the use of pure sulfur as the cathode. A low charge resistance and a high discharge capacity of 1320 mA h g(-1) arise from the improved cell conductivity due to the innately integral conductive carbon network of the CL. The unique microstructure of CL leads to a high discharge/charge efficiency of >98 %, low capacity fade of 0.18 % per cycle, and good long-term cyclability over 150 cycles. The structural gradient and the micro/mesoporous adsorption sites of CL effectively intercept/trap the migrating polysulfides and facilitate their reutilization. The green CL polysulfide diffusion inhibitor thus offers a viable approach for developing high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries.
Electrochemical Energy Laboratory & Materials Science and Engineering Program, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 (USA).
Sheng-Heng
SH
Chung
Arumugam
A
Manthiram
D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry
D013440:Sulfides; D013455:Sulfur; D002244:Carbon; C032915:polysulfide; D008094:Lithium
cell configuration; leaf; lithium-sulfur batteries; nanostructures; renewable resources