title: In Situ EQCM Study Examining Irreversible Changes the Sulfur-Carbon Cathode in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.
abstract: In situ EQCM experiments were used to investigate the stability and roughness changes occurring in a sulfur-carbon cathode utilized for a Li-S battery during the charge-discharge process. Results show that the sulfur-carbon cathode gains mass during the first discharge plateau (∼2.4 V) due to the formation of the long chain polysulfides during the discharge (lithiation) process. However, further discharge to below 2.4 V yields an increase in the crystal resistance (Rc) suggesting the sulfur-carbon cathode becomes rougher. During the charge (delithiation) process, the roughness of the sulfur-carbon cathode decreases. Time dependent measurements show that the electrode surface becomes rougher with the deeper discharge, with the change occurring following a step to 1.5 V. The sulfur-carbon cathode exhibits stable Rc and frequency behavior initially, but then becomes rougher in subsequent following cycles.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
authors: Heng-Liang
authors: HL
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
authors: Laura A
authors: LA
authors: Huff
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Esbenshade
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.
authors: Andrew A
authors: AA
authors: Gewirth
keywords: EQCM; Li−S batteries; crystal resistance; polysulfide dissolution; roughness of the sulfur−carbon cathode