Brendan Lafrenier
Research Mentor(s): Richard Laine
Mentor Department: Materials Science and Engineering
Authors: Brendan LaFrenier, Mia Wang, Richard Laine
Session: Session 6 (3:00pm – 3:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 59
Abstract
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted significant attention due to their high energy density and cost-effectiveness. Unfortunately, multiple problems including polysulfide shuttling, cathode volume changes, and slow redox reactions between Li and S present significant roadblocks to commercialization. The current efforts are prompted by the desire for a sustainable solution. To address these challenges, this research investigates the use of silica depleted rice hull ash (SDRHA), a silica hard carbon nanocomposite, as a cathode additive in Li-S batteries. The lithium (Li)-sulfur (S) couple offers high theoretical specific capacities (~1670 mAh g-1), energy densities (2600 Wh kg-1), and significant promise for next-generation systems over current graphite-based Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Current LIBs are reaching a limit of ~600 Wh kg-1 deemed insufficient for upcoming energy storage systems[1,2] and S is a low cost material with great abundance. Our research in particular examines sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN). Overall, SPAN composites outdo other composites in performance and safety, but with lower energy densities due to relatively low S contents. Despite SPAN’s advantages, Li-SPAN batteries have problems including the insulating properties of S and Li2S, slow redox reactions (limiting cycling rates), and cathode volume changes. The preliminary findings suggest that SDRHA is a promising additive for improving the overall performance of Li-S batteries, providing a cost-effective solution for enhancing their efficiency and cycle life. This work contributes to the development of more stable, high-capacity Li-S batteries for potential applications in energy storage and electric vehicles. [1] M. M. Thackeray, C. Wolverton, E. D. Isaacs, Energy Environ. Sci. 2012, 5, 7854. [2] X. Ji, L. F. Nazar, J. Mater. Chem. 2010, 20, 9821
