An Innovative Lithium Ion Battery System Based on a Cu₂S Anode Material

Abstract

Cu2S is considered as one of the potential anode paradigms for advanced rechargeable batteries because of its high theoretical capacity (∼335 mAh·g–1), high and flat charge/discharge voltage plateaus (∼1.7 V vs Li+/Li), stable cycling performance, and its elemental abundance. However, many studies have shown that Cu2S exhibits a dramatic capacity fade in carbonate-based electrolytes, which has precluded its commercialization when paired with high voltage cathodes in state-of-the-art lithium ion batteries. Here, we report on a fundamental mechanistic study of the electrochemical processes of Cu2S in both ether- and carbonate-based electrolytes employing operando synchrotron X-ray methods. Based on our findings, we developed a Cu2S/C composite material that suppresses its failure mechanism in carbonate-based electrolytes and further demonstrated its feasibility in lithium ion full cells for the first time. Our experiment provides the basis for the utilization of Cu2S in industrial-scale applications for large-scale electrical energy storage.

Study of the Lithium Storage Mechanism of N‐Doped Carbon‐Modified Cu2S Electrodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…Recently, Wang et al. reported that cycled Cu 2 S particles for LIBs turned polycrystalline grains after a fully cycled process by post‐mortem TEM analysis [47] . According to the discussion above, one can summarize phase evolution process of Cu 2 S/C upon the first (de)lithiation process in the schematically shown in Figure 7.…”

Rationally integrated nickel sulfides for lithium storage: S/N co-doped carbon encapsulated NiS/Cu2S with greatly enhanced kinetic property and structural stability

“…25 In addition, the first oxidation peak at 2.0 V ( peak 4) indicates that metallic Cu and Ni are converted to Cu 2−x S (e.g. Cu 1.96 S) 54,55 and Ni 3 S 2 . [49][50][51] And the last oxidation peak at 2.26 V ( peak 5) may refer to the regeneration of NiS.…”

“…56,57 Notably, the reaction between Cu 2 S and lithium is not entirely reversible. 55 The charge product Cu 2−x S (e.g. Cu 1.96 S) in the 1 st charge process can also convert to Li 2 S reversibly.…”

High-yield synthesis and hybridizations of Cu microplates for catalytic applications

“…[62][63][64][65][66][67] They have strong potential in a wide range of applications, including solar cells, photocatalysts, thermoelectric materials, and highcapacity anode materials for lithium secondary batteries. [68][69][70][71][72] Cu@Cu 2 S hybrid nanostructures can be effectively synthesized by exposing preformed Cu nanocrystals to sulfur compounds in various oxidation states to transform them into sulfides. 62 Although the sulfidation reaction proceeds as an aqueous solution process, it relies on toxic chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonium sulfide as a sulfur source, which are highly volatile and thus make precise control of the reaction difficult.…”