Conductive Nanocrystalline Niobium Carbide as High‐Efficiency Polysulfides Tamer for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries. (16th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cai, Wenlong; Li, Gaoran; Zhang, Kailong; Xiao, Guannan; Wang, Can; Ye, Kefen; Chen, Zhongwei; Zhu, Yongchun; Qian, Yitai
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 28:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-11-16
• Subjects: conductive coatings -- lithium‐sulfur batteries -- nanocrystalline niobium carbide -- polysulfides tamers; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201704865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: Rational design of functional interlayer is highly significant in pursuit of high‐performance Li‐S batteries. Herein, a nanocrystalline niobium carbide (NbC) is developed via a facile and scalable autoclave technology, which is, for the first time, employed as the advanced interlayer material for Li‐S batteries. Combining the merits of strong polysulfides (PS) anchoring with high electric conductivity, the NbC‐coated membrane enables efficiently tamed PS shuttling and fast sulfur electrochemistry, achieving outstanding cyclability with negligible capacity fading rate of 0.037% cycle −1 over 1500 cycles, superb rate capability up to 5 C, high areal capacity of 3.6 mA h cm −2 under raised sulfur loading, and reliable operation even in soft‐package cells. This work offers a facile and effective method of promoting Li‐S batteries for practical application. Abstract : Nanocrystalline niobium carbide (NbC), combining the merits of strong polysulfides anchoring with high electric conductivity, is prepared via scalable autoclave technology. The application of a NbC‐coated membrane enables prolonged lifespan and excellent rate capability for both thin and thick cathodes in coin cells, and reliable operation even in soft‐package cells.