Design and Development of an All Solid State Lithium Sulfur Battery Using Ceramic Polymer Composite Solid Electrolyte

Abstract

Currently widely used Lithium ion batteries are based on metal oxides or phosphates and carbon systems with theoretical specific capacity of about 400 Wh/Kg. However to meet the ever growing energy demand of modern society, specifically for extended range electric vehicles, high energy density batteries are required [1, 2]. From this viewpoint, the use of sulfur as a cathode material is highly beneficial since its theoretical specific capacity corresponding to 1675 mAh/g could generate high energy density of 2600 Wh/Kg which is 3x105 folds higher than the state-of-the art Lithium ion batteries [3]. However, research on lithium sulfur (Li/S) batteries using liquid electrolytes faces several problems such as the loss of the active material in the form of soluble polysulfide reaction products [4, 5]. Hence, for the development of next generation high performance power sources with high energy densities substantial emphasis has be laid on rechargeable all solid-state Li/S batteries. All solid state Li/S batteries include a solid electrolyte that offers several benefits such as good flexibility, potentially high electrochemical stability window and low flammability. The solid state nature could be very beneficial to Li/S batteries as they can prevent polysulfide dissolution and efficiently lessen dendrite penetration [6]. In this work, two kind of sulfur carbon composite electrodes were prepared by mechanical activation and thermal activation technique and the performance was evaluated by incorporating in a solid state battery. A composite solid polymer electrolyte prepared by dispersing the Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) ceramic fillers in the blend of high and low molecular weights polymer matrix was used as a solid electrolyte. The solid state battery using thermally activated composite electrode showed good electrochemical performance and cycle stability due to intimate contact between the sulfur and the carbon. [1] Morris, R. Scott, et al. "High-energy, rechargeable Li-ion battery based on carbon nanotube technology." Journal of Power Sources 138.1 (2004): 277-280. [2] Thackeray, Michael M., Christopher Wolverton, and Eric D. Isaacs. "Electrical energy storage for transportation—approaching the limits of, and going beyond, lithium-ion batteries." Energy & Environmental Science 5.7 (2012): 7854-7863. [3] Aurbach, Doron, et al. "On the surface chemical aspects of very high energy density, rechargeable Li–sulfur batteries." Journal of the Electrochemical Society 156.8 (2009): A694-A702. [4] Hayashi, Akitoshi, et al. "All-solid-state Li/S batteries with highly conductive glass–ceramic electrolytes." Electrochemistry communications 5.8 (2003): 701-705. [5] Kobayashi, Takeshi, et al. "All solid-state battery with sulfur electrode and thio-LISICON electrolyte." Journal of Power Sources 182.2 (2008): 621-625. [6] Machida, Nobuya, et al. "Electrochemical properties of sulfur as cathode materials in a solid-state lithium battery with inorganic solid electrolytes." Solid State Ionics 175.1 (2004): 247-250.