In Situ NMR Observation of the Temporal Speciation of Lithium Sulfur Batteries during Electrochemical Cycling
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: The understanding of the reaction mechanism and temporal speciation of the lithium–sulfur batteries is challenged by complex polysulfide disproportionation chemistry coupled with the precipitation and dissolution of species. In this report, for the first time, we present a comprehensive method to investigate lithium sulfur electrochemistry using in situ 7 Li NMR spectroscopy, a technique that is capable of quantitatively capturing the evolution of the soluble and precipitated lithium (poly)sulfides during electrochemical cycling. Through deconvolution and quantification, every lithium-bearing species was closely tracked and four-step soluble lithium polysulfide-mediated lithium sulfur electrochemistry was demonstrated in never before seen detail. Significant irreversible accumulation of Li 2 S is observed on the Li metal anode after four cycles because of sulfur shuttling. The application of the method presented here to study electrolyte/additive development and lithium protection research can be readily envisaged.
Institutions: Argonne National Laboratory, University of Waterloo
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2594565882