A Nano-Structured Electrocatalytically Active Cathode Material for Liquid Electrolyte Lithium Sulfur
Battery
Negar Mosavati
Among the most promising energy storage systems, lithium sulfur (Li/S) batteries have received increasing
attention due to their high energy density of 2600Wh/kg and theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh g-1 Sulfur.
Although these values are significantly higher than the current state of the art Li ion batteries, Li/S battery
suffers from several drawbacks, which lead to low active material utilization, poor capacity retention, high
self-discharge and short cycle life. In order to improve cathode material performance, much of the
research has focused on the carbon materials which enhance the positive electrode electrical conductivity
and ability of absorbing polysulfides within positive electrode matrix.
In current research, we have introduced a nano-structured electrocatalytically active carbon free cathode
materials, with high electrochemical stability, activity, and electronic conductivity. This novel cathode
electrode restrains the loss of active material, minimize internal impedance, and improve Li/S battery cell
capacity and cyclability. High catalytic activity of the cathode material for the lithium polysulfide
conversion reactions was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
and Tafel-polarization measurements. The results would be of great significance to electrode material
design for more efficient Li/S batteries.