What is it about?
Lithium/sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (Li/SPAN) is a novel type of lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery that can avoid the chronic polysulfide dissolution and shuttling problem. In this work, salient issues of Li/SPAN batteries on both material and cell levels are analyzed to better guide research efforts. Key findings include: (1) Increasing SPAN voltage and reducing electrolyte/inactive weights are crucial for energy gain; and (2) Delaying electrolyte depletion (by increasing Li plating/stripping reversibility and reducing electrolyte density and equivalent molecular weight) is crucial for cycle life gain. Our analysis supports the emerging preference for weakly-solvating electrolytes based on alkyl ethers.
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Why is it important?
Li-SPAN batteries show the potential to be the next-generation energy storage systems, especially for electric vehicle (EV) applications. They promise both high energy density (higher than lithium-ion batteries, i.e., longer driving range for EVs), low cost, and excellent sustainability due to the absence of transition metals. Our manuscript provides detailed discussion on how to get there. Free access to full-text before Jun 20, 2024: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1j2ke925JERZnN
Perspectives
We aimed to debunk and resolve the myth about why Li/SPAN, as well as general Li/S, batteries fail to achieve their expected energy density and cycle life.
An L Phan
University of Maryland at College Park
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Realizing high-energy and long-life Li/SPAN batteries, Joule, May 2024, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2024.04.003.
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