Nanomat Li–S batteries based on all-fibrous cathode/separator assemblies and reinforced Li metal anodes: towards ultrahigh energy density and flexibility

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted considerable attention as a promising alternative to current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), however, their practical use remains elusive, which becomes more serious upon application to flexible/wearable electronics. Here, we demonstrate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy & environmental science 2019-01, Vol.12 (1), p.177-186
Main Authors: Kim, Jung-Hwan, Lee, Yong-Hyeok, Cho, Sung-Ju, Gwon, Jae-Gyoung, Cho, Hye-Jung, Jang, Minchul, Lee, Sun-Young, Lee, Sang-Young
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anodes
Assemblies
Batteries
Cathodes
Cellulose
Conduction
Deformability
Deformation
Density
Electrochemical analysis
Electrochemistry
Energy
Fibrous structure
Flexibility
Flux density
Foils
Formability
Gravimetry
Kinetics
Lithium
Lithium sulfur batteries
Lithium-ion batteries
Metals
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanofibers
Nanotechnology
Nanotubes
Nickel
Organic chemistry
Polyethylene terephthalate
Rechargeable batteries
Separators
Single wall carbon nanotubes
State of the art
Sulfur
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Summary:Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted considerable attention as a promising alternative to current state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), however, their practical use remains elusive, which becomes more serious upon application to flexible/wearable electronics. Here, we demonstrate a new class of nanomat Li–S batteries based on all-fibrous cathode–separator assemblies and conductive nonwoven-reinforced Li metal anodes as an unprecedented strategy toward ultrahigh energy density and mechanical flexibility. Sulfur cathodes, which are fibrous mixtures of sulfur-deposited multi-walled carbon nanotubes and single-walled carbon nanotubes, are monolithically integrated with bi-layered (pristine cellulose nanofiber (CNF)–anionic CNF) paper separators, resulting in metallic foil current collector-free, all-fibrous cathode–separator assemblies. The cathode–separator assemblies, driven by their all-fibrous structure (contributing to three-dimensional bi-continuous electron/ion conduction pathways) and anionic CNFs (suppressing the shuttle effect via electrostatic repulsion), improve redox kinetics, cyclability and flexibility. Nickel-/copper-plated conductive poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwovens are physically embedded into Li foils to fabricate reinforced Li metal anodes with dimensional/electrochemical superiority. Driven by the structural uniqueness and chemical functionalities, the nanomat Li–S cells provide exceptional improvements in electrochemical performance (the (cell-based) gravimetric/volumetric energy density = 457 W h kg cell −1 /565 W h L cell −1 and the cycling performance (over 500 cycles) under 110% capacity excess of the Li metal anode) and mechanical deformability (they even can be crumpled).
ISSN:1754-5692
1754-5706
DOI:10.1039/C8EE01879K