Simple, scalable, and economical preparation of sulfur–PAN composite cathodes for Li/S batteries

Konarov, Aishuak; Gosselink, Denise; Doan, The Nam Long; Zhang, Yongguang; Zhao, Yan; Chen, P.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.02.078

Cited by 76 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The maximum estimated specifi c energies are achieved at ≈4 mg S cm −2 , closely approaching 500 Wh kg −1 at charge/discharge times exceeding ≈10 h. These high values have been achieved using functionalized graphene sheets (FGSs) obtained by thermally exfoliating graphite oxide, [ 79 ] multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), [ 29 ] polyaniline, [ 80 ] and using covalently bound sulfur-polymer composites based on sulfurized-polyacrylonitrile (S-PAN). [ 81,82 ] From our estimates, one of the highest performing Li- Table 3. Summary of literature data and estimates of E and P for conventional sulfur-based electrodes cast on Al foil current collectors as a function of additive type.…”

Section: Conventional Approach: 2d Current Collectorsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Structural Design of Cathodes for Li‐S Batteries

Pope

Aksay

2015

Advanced Energy Materials

427

330

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Optimized Li-ion batteries can now achieve specifi c energies ( E ) up to ≈200 Wh kg −1 but only marginal improvements to this technology are expected in the near future as cells reach their theoretical limits. [ 3,5,6 ] While signifi cant progress has been made, [ 7 ] continued improvements to drive range, decreased charging times and more effi cient operation at high power are required to effectively accept energy generated during braking [ 8 ] and to make charging times more convenient for consumers who are used to spending only a few minutes fi lling their tanks with gas as opposed to overnight charging required by current battery systems.Cost is also a factor. Most Li-ion batteries are too expensive to be economical for grid level storage and also make the price of electric vehicles prohibitively expensive for the average consumer. A state-of-the-art Li-ion battery pack costs ≈$400 per kWh, [ 7 ] a fi gure which needs to be reduced to ≈$150 per kWh as suggested by the US Advanced Battery Consortium. [ 8 ] In a recent review, Larcher and Tarascon also pointed out the importance of the sustainability of materials and processes used to make these batteries. [ 5 ] In order to reduce the energy and fossil fuel consumption associated with materials extraction and battery manufacturing we must look towards abundant, accessible, recyclable materials and low temperature production processes. [ 5 ] Advantages of Li-S BatteriesLithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as one of the most promising systems as they hold the potential to address most of the challenges discussed above. Sulfur is abundant and inexpensive, currently produced in large quantities, as a waste product of the oil and gas industry and is also naturally occurring, being the 16 th most abundant element in the Earth's lithosphere. [ 9 ] Sulfur's low melting point (115.2 °C) and sublimation temperature lead to potentially more energy effi cient manufacturing approaches. Most importantly, the electrochemical reduction of sulfur: S + 2Li + → Li 2 S + 2e − , yields a theoretical capacity of 1672 mAh g −1 sulfur which is an order of magnitude larger than state-of-the-art Li-ion cathode materials such as LiCoO 2 , LiFePO 4 , and NCA which exhibit theoretical capacities of 140-180 mAh g −1 . [ 1,3,5 ] This high cathode capacity ( Q C ) arises through a combination of sulfur's low molecular weight ( M W = 32.06) and the net two-electrons ( n = 2) generated through the Battery technologies involving Li-S chemistries have been touted as one of the most promising next generation systems. The theoretical capacity of sulfur is nearly an order of magnitude higher than current Li-ion battery insertion cathodes and when coupled with a Li metal anode, Li-S batteries promise specifi c energies nearly fi ve-fold higher. However, this assertion only holds if sulfur cathodes could be designed in the same manner as cathodes for Li-ion batteries. Here, the recent efforts to engineer high capacity, thick, sulfur-based cathodes are explored. Various works are compared in ...

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Section: Conventional Approach: 2d Current Collectorsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Structural Design of Cathodes for Li‐S Batteries

Pope

Aksay

2015

Advanced Energy Materials

427

330

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“…Among numerous potential candidates, sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) has been most intensively studied due to its excellent electrochemical performance and low process cost. The synthesis of SPAN was first reported in 2002 by Wang et al who heated a 5:1 (wt) S/PAN mixture at 280-300 °C under argon for 6 h [2,3], and since intensive investigations have been followed, especially by the groups OPEN ACCESS led by He [4][5][6][7][8], Buchmeiser [9][10][11], and Chen [12][13][14][15]. Most of previous works were focused on the structural characterization, the optimization of synthesis conditions in variations of reaction temperature, reaction time and S/PAN ratio, as well as the applications with different electrolyte systems [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding of Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile for Superior Performance Lithium/Sulfur Battery

Zhang

2014

Energies

210

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Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) is one of the most important sulfurized carbon materials that can potentially be coupled with the carbonaceous anode to fabricate a safe and low cost "all carbon" lithium-ion battery. However, its chemical structure and electrochemical properties have been poorly understood. In this discussion, we analyze the previously published data in combination with our own results to propose a more reasonable chemical structure that consists of short -S x -chains covalently bonded onto cyclized, partially dehydrogenated, and ribbon-like polyacrylonitrile backbones. The proposed structure fits all previous structural characterizations and explains many unique electrochemical phenomena that were observed from the Li/SPAN cells but have not been understood clearly.

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“…Graphene, [3][4][5][6] carbon nanotubes (CNTs), [7][8][9] and carbon [10][11][12] have been investigated as sulfurbased cathode materials. Carbon-conductive polymer composite materials [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] and conductive polymer matrices [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] have also been widely tested for their ability to improve battery performance. Huang et al showed that graphene-coated sulfur composites could be used to improve cycling performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simple Preparation of Polyaniline-coated Sulfur Composites for use as Cathodes in Li–S Batteries

Hyun

Lee

Jung³

et al. 2016

Electrochemistry

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A polyaniline (PANi)-coated sulfur cathode was prepared by in-situ polymerization to improve the performance of Li-S batteries and prevent polysulfide dissolution. Because PANi polymerization requires only the addition of sulfur powder, the polymerization method was simple. Battery performance testing was conducted using various sulfur ratios, with the best performance being exhibited by the 31 wt% sulfur PANi composite (approximately 500 mAh g −1 S after 50 cycles from an initial capacity of 903 mAh g −1 S). Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed that sulfur was coated by an approximately 10-nm-thick layer of PANi. Cycle testing was conducted at a rate of 0.2 C with an electrode loading of 2 mg cm −2 of sulfur. Thus, a highly homogenous distribution of sulfur particles in PANi was achieved, resulting in sulfur-coated composite materials and allowing for the preparation of a conductive polymer by a relatively simple sulfur distribution method.

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Simple, scalable, and economical preparation of sulfur–PAN composite cathodes for Li/S batteries

Cited by 76 publications

References 23 publications

Structural Design of Cathodes for Li‐S Batteries

Structural Design of Cathodes for Li‐S Batteries

Understanding of Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile for Superior Performance Lithium/Sulfur Battery

A Simple Preparation of Polyaniline-coated Sulfur Composites for use as Cathodes in Li–S Batteries

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Simple, scalable, and economical preparation of sulfur–PAN composite cathodes for Li/S batteries

Cited by 76 publications

References 23 publications

Structural Design of Cathodes for Li‐S Batteries

Structural Design of Cathodes for Li‐S Batteries

Understanding of Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile for Superior Performance Lithium/Sulfur Battery

A Simple Preparation of Polyaniline-coated Sulfur Composites for use as Cathodes in Li&ndash;S Batteries

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A Simple Preparation of Polyaniline-coated Sulfur Composites for use as Cathodes in Li–S Batteries