High capacity semi-liquid lithium sulfur cells with enhanced reversibility for application in new-generation energy storage systems

Semi-liquid configuration of sulfur cell is proposed as simple strategy to develop high-energy lithium battery. Two solutions of Li2S8 in diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DEGDME), containing either lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) or lithium trifluoromethansulfonate (LiCF3SO3) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3), are studied as catholytes for Li/S cells exploiting the polysulfides electrochemical reaction at about 2.2 V vs. Li+/Li. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal analyses, respectively, reveal composition and high-temperature stability of the catholyte solutions. Ad hoc study conducted by impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry, and galvanostatic techniques suggests well suitable characteristics in terms of Li+-transport ability, electrochemical stability window, and electrode/electrolyte interphase features. Cells with sulfur loading ranging from about 3 to 6 mg cm−2 into the solution are successfully studied with remarkable performances in terms of current rates, efficiency and cycle life. Hence, the lithium cells based on the catholyte deliver maximum capacity of the order of 1100 mAh gS−1 at C/10 rate and stable capacity of about 800 mAh gS−1 at C/3 rate with Coulombic efficiency exceeding 99%. Therefore, the catholyte solutions studied herein are considered as a very promising candidates for high-energy storage in next generation systems, such as the intriguing hybrid and electric vehicles.