New paper on Li-S battery relevant solid-state sulfur conversion in confinement published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
New open access paper published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces on “Understanding Rate and Capacity Limitations in Li-S Batteries Based on Solid-State Sulfur Conversion in Confinement”. This study explores how solid-state sulfur conversion within carbon nanopores enhances the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. Key parameters relate to cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) formation, pore size, and material design.
Key findings from our study:
- Nanopore engineering: Small nanopores (<0.8 nm) promote efficient CEI formation, improving charge transfer and enabling solid-state sulfur conversion without polysulfide dissolution.
- Rate limitation insights: Charge transfer between sulfur and carbon dominates rate limitations, particularly during charging, while lithium-ion transport plays a secondary role.
- Material utilization: Optimized sulfur-to-carbon ratio maximizes the capacity by balancing pore filling and reaction kinetics.
- Advanced methodologies: Techniques like operando SANS and XRD provide evidence for the stability of solid-state conversion processes and the amorphous nature of sulfur products within nanopores.
This work is an outcome of the Slovenian-Swiss-Austrian-German ALISA project (Advanced Lithium-Sulfur batteries with ultramicroporous carbons), supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 program and various national funding agencies (including Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung). It contributes to the broader effort of advancing sustainable and high-energy-density battery systems, aligning with global clean energy goals.
Thank you for the great collaboration Ayça Şenol Güngör, Jean-Marc von Mentlen, Jean Gustavo De Andrade Ruthes, Francisco J. García-Soriano, Sara Drvarič Talian, Lionel Porcar, Alen Vizintin, Vanessa Wood, and Christian Prehal
