Artificial Lithium Isopropyl-Sulfide Macromolecules as an Ion-Selective Interface for Long-Life Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

The persistent reduction reactions between the hyperactive lithium metal (Li) and dissolved polysulfides would passivate the Li metal and rapidly decrease the cathodic active materials, thus leading to low Coulombic efficiency and a short cycle life of lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries. Herein, we construct artificial lithium isopropyl-sulfide macromolecules as an ionselective interface on the Li metal (IS-Li) by a facile electrochemical polymerization method, in which the polymer network improves the elasticity and toughness to accommodate the volume change of the Li anode and the formed lithium-organosulfides provide great mechanical strength to resist the destruction of Li dendrites. Importantly, this interfacial layer is proved to be sufficient in damping polysulfide anion diffusion and stopping irreversible reduction between polysulfides and metallic Li, which greatly contribute to the performance improvement of Li−S batteries. The resulting Li−S batteries exhibit long-term stability with high capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency. This effective strategy sets a new approach for regulating the interfacial chemistry of Li metal anodes, which is significant for highly stable Li−S batteries.

All-Liquid-Phase Reaction Mechanism Enabling Cryogenic Li–S Batteries

“…Besides, according to our previous work, this polymer interfacial layer also can dampen the irreversible reduction between the dissolved intermediates and lithium anode, enabling Li−S batteries to have a good cycling ability. 43…”

In Situ Anchoring Co–N–C Nanoparticles on Co4N Nanosheets toward Ultrastable Flexible Self‐Supported Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst Enables Recyclable Zn–Air Batteries Over 10 000 Cycles and Fast Charging

“…The poor reversibility of Zn anode was caused by the growth of dendritic zinc and the formation of dead zinc. [56][57][58][59][60] The SEM images illustrated, after numerous cycles, the surface morphology of the Zn anode also turned much rougher than that of the original anode (Figure 6a, Figure S21, Supporting Information). XRD curves revealed many ZnO generated on the Zn anode after long-term cycles, confirming its severe corrosion (Figure 6b, Figure S23, Supporting Information).…”

Integration of porous graphitic carbon and carbon fiber framework for ultrahigh sulfur-loading lithium–sulfur battery

“…There are two main reasons for the lack of large-scale commercialization of Li-S batteries: (1) it is hard for the electrochemical reaction to proceed because of the poor conductivity of reactant sulfur and the ultimate products (Li 2 S 2 and Li 2 S) 4,5 and (2) the reaction intermediates (Li 2 S n , n = 4, 6, 8) readily dissolve in the electrolyte, diffuse to the anode side and react directly with the Li tablet, resulting in the loss of active substances and rapid attenuation of battery system capacity. [6][7][8][9][10] The above two problems are more serious for the development of Li-S batteries aiming at high sulfur loading and high energy density. Hybridization of sulfur with metal oxides, 11,12 conductive polymers, 13,14 organic frameworks, 15,16 various forms of carbon materials, [17][18][19] etc.…”