Elucidating the reaction kinetics of lithium-sulfur batteries by operando XRD based on an open-hollow S@MnO₂ cathode

authored by

Shaozhuan Huang, Lixiang Liu, Ye Wang, Yang Shang, Lin Zhang, Jiawei Wang, Yun Zheng, Oliver G. Schmidt, Hui Ying Yang

Abstract

Quantitatively elucidating the reaction kinetics of Li-sulfur (Li-S) batteries is always crucial in optimizing cathode structures but challenging as well. Herein, we study and compare the reaction mechanism and kinetics of Li-S batteries via operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) and quantitative analysis based on several cathode structures. Operando XRD indicates that β-S

₈ has different nucleation orientations on MnO

₂ and carbon surfaces due to the different surface free energies. The quantitative analysis reveals that polysulfides encapsulated in MnO

₂ nanosheets result in fast Li

₂S and β-S

₈ nucleation in the discharge and charge processes, respectively. It also shows that open-hollow S@MnO

₂ exhibits faster S consumption and higher sulfur utilization than the solid core-shell S@MnO

₂ and carbon black/S. Our work provides deep insight into the reaction mechanism and kinetics of Li-S batteries and indicates that the cathode structures and host materials play critical roles in enhancing the reaction kinetics.

External Organisation(s)

Singapore University of Technology and Design
Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW)
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Chemnitz University of Technology (CUT)

Type

Article

Journal

Journal of Materials Chemistry A

Volume

7

Pages

6651-6658

No. of pages

8

ISSN

2050-7488

Publication date

28.03.2019

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Chemistry, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, General Materials Science

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ta00199a (Access: Closed)