Ultrathin Mixed Ionic–Electronic Conducting Interlayer via the Solution Shearing Technique for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur BatteriesClick to copy article linkArticle link copied!
- Donghyeok SonDonghyeok SonDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of KoreaMore by Donghyeok Son
- Hyunmin ParkHyunmin ParkDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of KoreaMore by Hyunmin Park
- Won-Gwang LimWon-Gwang LimDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of KoreaMore by Won-Gwang Lim
- Seunghyeok BaekSeunghyeok BaekDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of KoreaMore by Seunghyeok Baek
- Seok Hun KangSeok Hun KangReality Devices Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), 218 Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 34129, Republic of KoreaMore by Seok Hun Kang
- Jeong-Chan LeeJeong-Chan LeeDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of KoreaMore by Jeong-Chan Lee
- Thandavarayan MaiyalaganThandavarayan MaiyalaganElectrochemical Energy Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, IndiaMore by Thandavarayan Maiyalagan
- Young-Gi LeeYoung-Gi LeeReality Devices Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), 218 Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 34129, Republic of KoreaMore by Young-Gi Lee
- Steve Park*Steve Park*Email: [email protected]Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of KoreaMore by Steve Park
- Jinwoo Lee*Jinwoo Lee*Email: [email protected]Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of KoreaMore by Jinwoo Lee
Abstract
The commercialization of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries has been hampered by diverse challenges, including the shuttle phenomenon and low electrical/ionic conductivity of lithium sulfide and sulfur. To address these issues, extensive research has been devoted to developing multifunctional interlayers. However, interlayers capable of simultaneously suppressing the polysulfide (PS) shuttle and ensuring stable electrical and ionic conductivity are relatively uncommon. Moreover, the use of thick and heavy interlayers results in an unavoidable decline in the energy density of Li–S batteries. We developed an ultrathin (750 nm), lightweight (0.182 mg cm–2) interlayer that facilitates mixed ionic–electronic conduction using the solution shearing technique. The interlayer, composed of carbon nanotube (CNT)/Nafion/poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:tetracyanoborate (PEDOT:TCB), effectively suppresses the shuttle phenomenon through the synergistic segregation and adsorption effects on PSs by Nafion and CNT/PEDOT, respectively. Furthermore, the electrical/ionic conductivity of the interlayer can be improved via counterion exchange and homogeneous Li+ ion flux/good wettability from SO3– functional group of Nafion, respectively. Enhanced sulfur utilization and reaction kinetics through polysulfide shuttle inhibition and facilitated electron/ion transfer by interlayer enable a high discharge capacity of 1029 mA h g–1 in the Li–S pouch cell under a high sulfur loading of 5.3 mg cm–2 and low electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 5 μL mg–1.
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