Improved cycling performances with high sulfur loading enabled by pre-treating lithium anode

• Published in: Ionics 2016-02, Vol.22 (2), p.151-157
• Main Authors: Han, Yamiao, Duan, Xiaobo, Li, Yanbing, Huang, Liwu, Zhu, Ding, Chen, Yungui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Renewable and Green Energy
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-015-1543-7

Lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) is reported as an effective additive to protect lithium anode in rechargeable lithium-sulfur battery. However, for its strong oxidation, cells containing LiNO 3 still suffer from safety problems and poor cycle performance since LiNO 3 can be reduced on cathode to form some irreversible products. In this study, a facile and effective method to pre-passivate lithium anode is proposed by simply immersing lithium plates in LiNO 3 solution. The electrochemical properties show that the pretreatment is favorable for the construction of a protection layer on the surface of lithium anode. Cells with pretreated lithium show the coulombic efficiency of 80.6 % in the first cycle and 87.2 % after 100 cycles, far higher than the one with pure lithium. The discharge capacity is retained at 702 mA h g −1 after 100 cycles, and the result is better than those directly adding LiNO 3 in electrolyte. It is believed that these improvements result from the high stability of surface film during the charge and discharge process, which can stabilize the structure of anode and suppress the shuttle effect.