Multifunctional Composite Frameworks for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Zhang, Shanqing
Other Supervisors
Zhao, Huijun
Year published
2021-11-19
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Rechargeable batteries have recently solidified their role in society’s transition toward a cleaner energy future through the emergence of electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. The deployment of electrochemical energy storage near electricity generators and at home has increased the reliability of renewable energy, thus easing renewable energy’s emergence into
power grids worldwide. Similarly, electric vehicles have continued to increase their implementation into global transportation networks, which reduces the reliance on fossil fuelbased vehicles and helps mitigate CO2 emissions.
At present, lithium-ion ...
View more >Rechargeable batteries have recently solidified their role in society’s transition toward a cleaner energy future through the emergence of electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. The deployment of electrochemical energy storage near electricity generators and at home has increased the reliability of renewable energy, thus easing renewable energy’s emergence into power grids worldwide. Similarly, electric vehicles have continued to increase their implementation into global transportation networks, which reduces the reliance on fossil fuelbased vehicles and helps mitigate CO2 emissions. At present, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) dominate the portable electronics market due to their superior energy density. However, as lithium-ion batteries are late in their development cycle, the limitations of the technology are becoming apparent, and researchers have turned to new battery chemistries to enhance the energy density, reduce the cost, and mitigate the environmental impacts of current-generation batteries. Lithium-sulfur batteries (Li−S) are an excellent example of next-generation batteries, and can deliver higher energy densities, reduce costs, and minimise environmental impacts over current-generation LIBs. However, Li−S batteries have technical limitations associated with their chemistry. The most troublesome limitation of the Li−S cell is the dubbed the polysulfide shuttle and refers to the dissolution and migration of soluble discharge intermediates which results in rapid capacity fading. Other limitations revolve around the limited conductivity of sulfur cathodes, volume expansion of electroactive materials, and poor performance at high current densities. Researchers have focused on various cell components to address the limitations, with substantial research on the cathode, anode, and electrolyte. This thesis employs strategies targeted at the composite sulfur cathode in lithium-sulfur cells.
View less >
View more >Rechargeable batteries have recently solidified their role in society’s transition toward a cleaner energy future through the emergence of electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. The deployment of electrochemical energy storage near electricity generators and at home has increased the reliability of renewable energy, thus easing renewable energy’s emergence into power grids worldwide. Similarly, electric vehicles have continued to increase their implementation into global transportation networks, which reduces the reliance on fossil fuelbased vehicles and helps mitigate CO2 emissions. At present, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) dominate the portable electronics market due to their superior energy density. However, as lithium-ion batteries are late in their development cycle, the limitations of the technology are becoming apparent, and researchers have turned to new battery chemistries to enhance the energy density, reduce the cost, and mitigate the environmental impacts of current-generation batteries. Lithium-sulfur batteries (Li−S) are an excellent example of next-generation batteries, and can deliver higher energy densities, reduce costs, and minimise environmental impacts over current-generation LIBs. However, Li−S batteries have technical limitations associated with their chemistry. The most troublesome limitation of the Li−S cell is the dubbed the polysulfide shuttle and refers to the dissolution and migration of soluble discharge intermediates which results in rapid capacity fading. Other limitations revolve around the limited conductivity of sulfur cathodes, volume expansion of electroactive materials, and poor performance at high current densities. Researchers have focused on various cell components to address the limitations, with substantial research on the cathode, anode, and electrolyte. This thesis employs strategies targeted at the composite sulfur cathode in lithium-sulfur cells.
View less >
Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
School of Environment and Sc
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Subject
lithium-sulfur batteries
polysulfide shuttle
multifunctional composite frameworks