(190c) A Nano-Structured Electrocatalytically Active Cathode Material for Liquid Electrolyte Lithium Sulfur Battery

Among the most promising energy storage systems, lithium sulfur (Li/S) batteries have received increasing attention due to their high energy density of 2600Wh/kgand 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.