Sulfur Speciation in Li–S Batteries Determined by Operando Laboratory X-ray Emission Spectroscopy
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In this work, operando sulfur X-ray emission measurements on a Li–S battery cathode were performed using a laboratory setup as an alternative to more common synchrotron radiation based absorption studies. Photoexcitation by an X-ray tube was used. Valence-to-core Kβ X-ray emission spectra were recorded with a wavelength dispersive crystal spectrometer in von Hamos geometry, providing excellent energy resolution and good detection efficiency. The setup was used to record ex situ S Kβ emission spectra from S cathodes from the Li–S battery and also under operando conditions. Average S oxidation state within the battery cathode during battery cycling was determined from the shape of the Kβ emission spectra. A more detailed S species characterization was performed by fitting a linear combination of previously measured laboratory synthesized standards to the measured spectra. Relative amounts of different S species in the cathode were determined during the cycling of the Li–S battery. The main advantage of X-ray emission spectroscopy is that it can be performed on concentrated samples with S loading comparable to a real battery. The approach shows great promise for routine laboratory analysis of electrochemical processes in Li–S batteries and other sulfur-based systems under operando conditions.
Source: ACS Applied Energy Materials
Language: English
Subfield: Radiation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W4404539002