Eliminating the bottlenecks for use of lithium-sulfur batteries

Date:
March 24, 2022
Source:
Uppsala University
Summary:
Energy storage in lithium-sulfur batteries is potentially higher
than in lithium-ion batteries but they are hampered by a short
life. Researchers have now identified the main bottlenecks in
performance.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Energy storage in lithium-sulfur batteries is potentially higher than in lithium-ion batteries but they are hampered by a short life. Researchers
from Uppsala University in Sweden have now identified the main bottlenecks
in performance.


========================================================================== Lithium-sulfur batteries are high on the wish-list for future batteries
as they are made from cheaper and more environmentally friendly
materials than lithium- ion batteries. They also have higher energy
storage capacity and work well at much lower temperatures. However, they
suffer from short lifetimes and energy loss. An article just published
in the journal Chem by a research group from Uppsala University has now identified the processes that are limiting the performance of the sulfur electrodes that in turn reduces the current that can be delivered. Various different materials are formed during the discharge/ charge cycles and
these cause various problems. Often a localized shortage of lithium
causes a bottleneck.

"Learning about problems allows us to develop new strategies and materials
to improve battery performance. Identifying the real bottlenecks is
needed to take the next steps. This is big research challenge in a
system as complex as lithium-sulfur," says Daniel Brandell, Professor
of Materials Chemistry at Uppsala University who works at the AAngstro"m Advanced Battery Centre.

The study combined various radiation scattering techniques: X-ray
analyses were made in Uppsala, Sweden and neutron results came from a
large research facility, the Institut Laue Langevin, in Grenoble, France.

"The study demonstrates the importance of using these infrastructures
to tackle problems in materials science," says Professor Adrian
Rennie. "These instruments are expensive but are necessary to understand
such complex systems as these batteries. Many different reactions happen
at the same time and materials are formed and can disappear quickly
during operation." The study was carried-out as part of a co-operation
with Scania CV AB.

"Electric power is needed for the heavy truck business and not just
personal vehicles. They must keep up with developments of a range of
different batteries that may soon become highly relevant," says Daniel Brandell.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Uppsala_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Yu-Chuan Chien, Matthew J. Lacey, Nina-Juliane Steinke, Daniel
Brandell,
Adrian R. Rennie. Correlations between precipitation reactions and
electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries probed by
operando scattering techniques. Chem, March 22, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/
j.chempr.2022.03.001 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220324104446.htm

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