title: Paving the way for using Li₂S batteries.
abstract: In this work, a novel lithium-sulfur battery was developed comprising Li2S as the cathode, lithium metal as the anode and polysulfide-based solution as the electrolyte. The electrochemical performances of these Li2S-based cells strongly depended upon the nature of the electrolytes. In the presence of the conventional electrolyte that consisted of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-imide (LiTFSI) salt dissolved in a solvent combination of dimethoxyethane (DME)/1,3-dioxolane (DOL), the Li/Li2S cells showed sluggish kinetics, which translated into poor cycling and capacity retention. However, when using small amounts of polysulfides in the electrolyte along with a shuttle inhibitor the Li2S cathode was efficiently activated in the cell with the generation of over 1000 mAh g(-1) capacity and good cycle life.
authors.affiliation: Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439 (USA); Materials Science Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627 (USA).
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Cun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: James C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Belharouak
mesh_terms: D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; C550775:lithium sulfide
keywords: electrolyte; energy storage; lithium disulfide; lithium polysulfide; lithium sulfur batteries