The Complexation between Amide Groups of Polyamide‐6 and Polysulfides in the Lithium–Sulfur Battery. Issue 9 (19th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Zhen; Yang, Quanling; Liu, Bin; Wang, Mengkui; Wang, Shan; Xiong, Chuanxi
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 302:Issue 9(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-05-19
• Subjects: binder -- complexation -- lithium–sulfur batteries -- polyamide‐6; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201700122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract : During the charge–discharge process of lithium–sulfur batteries, S or Li2 S2 /Li2 S cathodes go through a series of intermediate polysulfides and become Li2 S2 /Li2 S or S. The complexation between the lithium polysulfides and the amide groups inhibits the "shuttle" of lithium polysulfides when S or Li2 S2 /Li2 S transform to the soluble lithium polysulfides during the discharge process, preventing the loss of active materials. Abstract : Lithium–sulfur batteries have attracted considerable attention due to its high theoretical specific capacity, low cost, environmental friendliness, etc. However, the dissolution of polysulfide intermediate in the electrolyte leads to rapid capacity decay in the charge–discharge process. A sulfur‐based cathode with the specific discharge capacity of 630 mAh g −1 and ultrahigh capacity retention ratio of 0.11% per cycle after 400 cycles at 0.5 C that simply blend the sublimed sulfur and acetylene black in the mortar with the polyamide‐6 (PA6) as binder is reported. The intense complexation between the lithium polysulfide and amide groups (CONH) in PA6 can effectively inhibit the "shuttling effect" and reduce the loss of active materials during the charge–discharge process. The discovery provides a handy and practicable strategy for developing the excellent cycling stability lithium–sulfur batteries.