Improved performance of lithium-sulfur batteries at elevated temperature by porous aluminum. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peng, Yujia; Peng, Zhenfeng; Qiu, Yang; Yan, Kangping; Wang, Guixin
• Is Part Of: Journal of energy storage. Volume 27(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Lithium-sulfur batteries -- Multidimensional carbon materials -- Porous aluminum -- Electrochemical performance -- High temperature; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.3126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2019.101104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-152X

Abstract

Highlights: Multidimensional carbon materials were used to enhance the performance of sulfur in a low-temperature closed system. 3D electrodes were prepared using porous aluminum as current collector. The electrochemical performance of S/C was improved by porous aluminum at different temperatures. Possible enhanced mechanism of S/C by porous aluminum was discussed. Abstract: With high theoretical capacity and energy density, lithium-sulfur batteries have gained a competitive edge for promising applications, but they still face challenges like poor conductivity of sulfur and volume expansion. Herein, combining the advantages of multidimensional carbon materials, S/C composites consisting of sulfur and Activated Carbon (AC), Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), Graphene (G) were obtained in a closed system at 155 °C, and 3D electrodes were prepared using porous aluminum (PAl) as current collectors. The as-obtained electrode exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 1256 mAh/g at 0.1C, about 200 mAh/g higher than that of the electrode using traditional non-porous aluminum (NPAl) current collector. As NPAl is substituted by PAl, the oxidation peak current density of S/C composite is increased from 3.59 to 4.95 A/g, and the charge transfer resistance is decreased from 32.03 to 17.37 Ω. In comparison with the very poor performance of S/C using NPAl at 60 °C, the initial discharge capacity of S/C using PAl can reach 803 mAh/g at 1C rate with a capacity retention rate of 71.7% after 50 cycles, while the corresponding stress decreases to 10.35 MPa. The improved mechanisms of S/C composites using PAl were discussed. Porous aluminum is attractive to improve the electrochemical performance and safety of batteries. Graphical abstract: Porous aluminum was used as the current collector for sulfur/multidimensional carbon composites to improve capacity and cyclability at different temperatures. Effects of porous aluminum on the performance of the composites were investigated using various techniques. Possible enhanced mechanism was discussed. Image, graphical abstract