A Li ₂ S-based all-solid-state battery with high energy and superior safety

Abstract

Safety risks stem from applying extremely reactive alkali metal anodes and/or oxygen-releasing cathodes in flammable liquid electrolytes restrict the practical use of state-of-the-art high-energy batteries. Here, we propose a intrinsically safe solid-state cell chemistry to satisfy both high energy and cell reliability. An all-solid-state rechargeable battery is designed by energetic yet stable multielectron redox reaction between Li 2 S cathode and Si anode in robust solid-state polymer electrolyte with fast ionic transport. Such cells can deliver high specific energy of 500 to 800 Wh kg −1 for 500 cycles with fast rate response, negligible self-discharge, and good temperature adaptability. Integrating intrinsic safe cell chemistry to robust cell design further guarantees reversible energy storage against extreme abuse of overheating, overcharge, short circuit, and mechanical damage in the air and water. This work may shed fresh insight into bridging the huge gap between high energy and safety of rechargeable cells for feasible applications and recycle.

ZnFe2O4–Ni5P4 Mott–Schottky Heterojunctions to Promote Kinetics for Advanced Li–S Batteries

“…6−8 To improve the overall performance of Li−S battery, researchers have made efforts from binder, 9 separator, 10 and electrolyte. 6 The key issues are the serious shuttle effect and the slow oxidation−reduction kinetics of polysulfides. And the shuttle effect is normally solved by finding suitable materials as S hosts in the cathode.…”

Co‐recrystallization induced self‐catalytic Li2S cathode fully interfaced with sulfide catalyst toward a high‐performance lithium‐free sulfur battery

“…5,6 Lithium sulfide (Li 2 S) represents a promising alternative as the Li-containing cathode with high capacity (1166 mAh g À1 ) as it can couple with Li-free anodes (e.g., silicon, graphite, tin, etc). [7][8][9][10][11][12] It also shows good thermal stability, allowing for the synthesis of various nanostructured Li 2 S cathodes, which is impossible for sulfur cathode due to the low thermal stability. Nevertheless, two critical points hinder the practical uses of Li 2 S cathode.…”

“…However, the dendrite growth and uncontrollable side reactions on the LMA surface cause severe safety problems and fast battery failure 5,6 . Lithium sulfide (Li 2 S) represents a promising alternative as the Li‐containing cathode with high capacity (1166 mAh g −1 ) as it can couple with Li‐free anodes (e.g., silicon, graphite, tin, etc) 7–12 . It also shows good thermal stability, allowing for the synthesis of various nanostructured Li 2 S cathodes, which is impossible for sulfur cathode due to the low thermal stability.…”

A High‐Energy and Safe Lithium Battery Enabled by Solid‐State Redox Chemistry in a Fireproof Gel Electrolyte

“…When coupled with Si anode, high theoretical energy of 1550 W h kg –1 can be achieved beyond the existing LIBs. [ 9 ] More attractive, the hazards of reactive Li metal and oxygen‐releasing electrodes can be fully eliminated to secure high safety with less sacrifice of cell energy. These benefits make the Li 2 S‐based lithium batteries highly promising in powerful yet reliable energy storage.…”

“…When coupled with Si anode, high theoretical energy of 1550 W h kg -1 can be achieved beyond the existing LIBs. [9] More attractive, the hazards of reactive Li metal and oxygen-releasing electrodes can be fully eliminated to secure high safety with less sacrifice of cell energy. These benefits make the Li 2 S-based lithium batteries highly promising in powerful yet reliable energy storage.Practical use of Li 2 S cathode is primarily hindered by the huge activation barrier and sluggish charge kinetics that stems from the insulating character and robust ionic lattice of Li 2 S. [10] Applying conductive matrix, redox mediators and/or electrocatalysis can lower but hardly minimize these difficulties even in nanostructured design.…”