Li-S Cathodes with Extended Cycle Life By Sulfur Encapsulation in Disordered Micro-Porous Carbon Powders

Sulfur cathodes have excellent theoretical properties for use as positive electrodes in rechargeable lithium batteries, but lack long-term stability required of practical secondary battery systems. To deal with this issue, high capacity Lithium-Sulfur cathodes with extended cycle life were prepared through thermal encapsulation of sulfurat 155°C in disordered micro-porous carbon powders that have high specific surface-area of ~ 2000 m²/g.  The electrodes have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), Raman spectroscopy, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Gas adsorption technique. By using microporous carbon as  matrices for sulfur cathodes and lithium nitrate as an additive to the electrolyte solution, that suppresses the shuttle phenomena in Li-sulfur batteries, we managed to achieve a reversible capacity of over 500mAh/g after 1000 cycles (Figure 1) with a Columbic efficiency approaching 100% throughout cycling. The sulfur composite cathodes of 14mm in diameter (area of ~1.54 cm²)  and active material load of more than 1mg/cm²were tested in a two electrodes configuration with coin-type cells (2523,NRC, Canada). Electrolyte solution was DOL and DME (1:1 ratio) with 10% LiTFSI and 2% of LiNO₃(by weight).

The influence of the volume of the electrolyte solutions in Li-S cells was further evaluated by analyzing their voltage profiles during cycling.