Integrating a Photocatalyst into a Hybrid Lithium–Sulfur Battery for Direct Storage of Solar Energy1. (10th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Na; Wang, Yarong; Tang, Daiming; Zhou, Haoshen
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 127:Number 32(2015)
• Page Start: 9403
• Page End: 9406
• Publication Date: 2015-06-10
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201503425
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Direct capture and storage of abundant but intermittent solar energy in electrical energy‐storage devices such as rechargeable lithium batteries is of great importance, and could provide a promising solution to the challenges of energy shortage and environment pollution. Here we report a new prototype of a solar‐driven chargeable lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) battery, in which the capture and storage of solar energy was realized by oxidizing S²⁻ ions to polysulfide ions in aqueous solution with a Pt‐modified CdS photocatalyst. The battery can deliver a specific capacity of 792 mAh g⁻¹ during 2 h photocharging process with a discharge potential of around 2.53 V versus Li⁺/Li. A specific capacity of 199 mAh g⁻¹, reaching the level of conventional lithium‐ion batteries, can be achieved within 10 min photocharging. Moreover, the charging process of the battery can proceed under natural sunlight irradiation.</p> </abstract>