Rational Design of Low Cost and High Energy Lithium Batteries through Tailored Fluorine-free Electrolyte and Nanostructured S/C Composite

Abstract

We report a new Li–S cell concept based on an optimized F-free catholyte solution and a high loading nanostructured C/S composite cathode. The Li2S8 present in the electrolyte ensures both buffering against active material dissolution and Li+ conduction. The high S loading is obtained by confining elemental S (≈80 %) in the pores of a highly ordered mesopores carbon (CMK3). With this concept we demonstrate stabilization of a high energy density and excellent cycling performance over 500 cycles. This Li–S cell has a specific capacity that reaches over 1000 mA h g−1, with an overall S loading of 3.6 mg cm−2 and low electrolyte volume (i.e., 10 μL cm−2), resulting in a practical energy density of 365 Wh kg−1. The Li–S system proposed thus meets the requirements for large scale energy storage systems and is expected to be environmentally friendly and have lower cost compared with the commercial Li-ion battery thanks to the removal of both Co and F from the overall formulation.