CO-LAB

Li-S Batteries

Objective

To utilize 2D MXene-TMO-based heterostructures in order to improve lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) chemisorption, enhancing their diffusion and conversion rates in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cells. This aims to boost performance, increase sulfur utilization, and address the LiPS shuttle phenomenon through modified separators. The study will also analyze diffusion and conversion kinetics.

How Li-S batteries work?

A lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cell operates through the utilization of sulfur as the cathode and lithium as the anode. In the discharge phase, lithium ions transfer from the anode to the cathode, causing the reduction of sulfur to lithium sulfide. Conversely, during the charging phase, this mechanism reverses, with lithium ions migrating back to the anode and sulfur undergoing reoxidation. This cyclical process enables the battery to both store and discharge energy efficiently. While lithium-sulfur batteries boast a commendable energy density, they encounter challenges such as the shuttle effect, which can result in diminished capacity over time.

Team member

Pimpa Limthongkul

Energy Storage Technology Research Team Leader

Panpanat Tesatchabut

Research Assistant

Adisak Promwicha

Research Assistant

Jakob Heier

Researcher, Empa

Shungui Deng

Ph.D. candidate,

Empa

Highlight output

A lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cell operates through the utilization of sulfur as the cathode and lithium as the anode. In the discharge phase, lithium ions transfer from the anode to the cathode, causing the reduction of sulfur to lithium sulfide. Conversely, during the charging phase, this mechanism reverses, with lithium ions migrating back to the anode and sulfur undergoing reoxidation. This cyclical process enables the battery to both store and discharge energy efficiently. While lithium-sulfur batteries boast a commendable energy density, they encounter challenges such as the shuttle effect, which can result in diminished capacity over time.

Intellectual property

Academic journal