The Polysulfide-Cathode Binding Energy Landscape for Lithium Sulfide Growth in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

A cathode substrate with strong adsorption of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) has been preferred for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. However, the recent finding that controlled growth of lithium sulfides (Li2S) during discharge is crucial for S utilization stimulates improvement of this preference. Here, the Li2S growth and cell capacity in the LiPS binding energy landscape of cathode substrates are investigated. Specifically, Co-based ternary oxides are employed to obtain binding energies in the range of 4.0-7.4 eV. Of these substrates, only the MnCo2O4 substrate with moderate LiPS affinity exhibits 3D Li2S growth. The MnCo2O4 cells achieve high sulfur utilization up to 84% at 0.2 C and excellent performance even under high sulfur loading/lean electrolyte conditions. In contrast, weak affinity substrates such as ZnCo2O4 and strong affinity substrates such as NiCo2O4 and CuCo2O4 exhibit low discharge capacity with 2D Li2S growth. For optimal LiPS affinity driving 3D growth, a balance between promoting LiPS adsorption and diffusion limitation in the LiPS adsorption layer is suggested.