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On the nanoscale structural evolution of solid discharge products in lithium-sulfur batteries using operando scattering.
- Source :
- Nature Communications; 10/24/2022, Vol. 13 Issue 1, p1-13, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- The inadequate understanding of the mechanisms that reversibly convert molecular sulfur (S) into lithium sulfide (Li<subscript>2</subscript>S) via soluble polysulfides (PSs) formation impedes the development of high-performance lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with non-aqueous electrolyte solutions. Here, we use operando small and wide angle X-ray scattering and operando small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements to track the nucleation, growth and dissolution of solid deposits from atomic to sub-micron scales during real-time Li-S cell operation. In particular, stochastic modelling based on the SANS data allows quantifying the nanoscale phase evolution during battery cycling. We show that next to nano-crystalline Li<subscript>2</subscript>S the deposit comprises solid short-chain PSs particles. The analysis of the experimental data suggests that initially, Li<subscript>2</subscript>S<subscript>2</subscript> precipitates from the solution and then is partially converted via solid-state electroreduction to Li<subscript>2</subscript>S. We further demonstrate that mass transport, rather than electron transport through a thin passivating film, limits the discharge capacity and rate performance in Li-S cells. Understanding lithium sulfide's electrodeposition and stripping is key to developing practical Li-S batteries. Here, the authors demonstrate that the discharge product in Li-S batteries consists of nano-size solid polysulfide particles and nano-crystalline lithium sulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20411723
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Nature Communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 159838830
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33931-4