Performance Stabilization of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Containing Sulfolane-based Electrolyte and Microporous Cathode by Controlling Working Voltage Range

For lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, high-concentration electrolyte that inhibits the dissolution of Li polysulfide has been widely studied; one such contains sulfolane. This study investigates conditions under which a microporous activated carbon cathode, derived from azurmic acid, operates stably in sulfolane-based electrolyte. We expected this cathode to maintain stable capacity because its micropores stabilize S species. However, Li-S batteries containing and exhibit significant decay during cycling. The cutoff voltage charge-discharge cycling is varied suppress decay. At discharge 1.4 V or lower, cycle life significantly reduced. Conversely, increasing suppresses batteries. On other hand, upper limit charging increases reversible capacity. Thus, operating range optimized. indicates should be carefully determined depending on type material