Nano‐Conductive Additive with Low Interfacial Energy Confining the Movement of Lithium Polysulfide Solution Enables Stable Reaction of Sulfur Electrode in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

With the increasing demand for green energy vehicles, lithiumsulfur batteries are drawing attention as new energy storage devices. This is because the theoretical capacity of sulfur cathodes is least five times higher that of conventional cathodes. However, in combination with lithium, sulfur cathodes diffuse to all parts of the cell through an uncontrolled and irreversible shuttle effect. Various studies have attempted to confine sulfur in a particular structure while it is dissolved in electrolytes. Unfortunately, this approach is ineffective because of the mobility and corrosive properties of lithium polysulfide. In this study, we present nano-conductive additives with minimized interfacial energy to lithium polysulfide that controls the shuttle effect by confining the movement of the lithium polysulfide solution within the cathodes. The nano-conductive additive was synthesized to form low interfacial energy through surface modification and used in lithium-sulfur batteries to enable a capacity of approximately 600 mAh g À 1 for 1000 repeated charge/discharge cycles.