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Lithium-sulfur batteries represent an attractive option for energy storage applications. A deeper understanding of the multistep lithium-sulfur reactions and the electrocatalytic mechanisms are required to develop advanced, high-performance batteries. We have systematically investigated the lithium-sulfur redox processes catalyzed by a cobalt single-atom electrocatalyst (Co-SAs/NC) via operando confocal Raman microscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The real-time observations, based on potentiostatic measurements, indicate that Co-SAs/NC efficiently accelerates the lithium-sulfur reduction/oxidation reactions, which display zero-order kinetics. Under galvanostatic discharge conditions, the typical stepwise mechanism of long-chain and intermediate-chain polysulfides is transformed to a concurrent pathway under electrocatalysis. In addition, operando cobalt K-edge XAS studies elucidate the potential-dependent evolution of cobalt’s oxidation state and the formation of cobalt-sulfur bonds. Our work provides fundamental insights into the mechanisms of catalyzed lithium-sulfur reactions via operando methods, enabling a deeper understanding of electrocatalysis and interfacial dynamics in electrical energy storage systems.
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Understanding the lithium–sulfur battery redox reactions via operando confocal Raman microscopy
Abstract The complex interplay and only partial understanding of the multi-step phase transitions and reaction kinetics of redox processes in lithium–sulfur batteries are the main stumbling blocks that hinder the advancement and broad deployment of this electrochemical energy storage system. To better understand these aspects, here we report operando confocal Raman microscopy measurements to investigate the reaction kinetics of Li–S redox processes and provide mechanistic insights into polysulfide generation/evolution and sulfur deposition. Operando visualization and quantification of the reactants and intermediates enabled the characterization of potential-dependent rates during Li–S redox and the linking of the electronic conductivity of the sulfur-based electrode and concentrations of polysulfides to the cell performance. We also report the visualization of the interfacial evolution and diffusion processes of different polysulfides that demonstrate stepwise discharge and parallel recharge mechanisms during cell operation. These results provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms and kinetics of Li–S redox reactions.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1719875
- PAR ID:
- 10411979
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Nature Communications
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 2041-1723
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-32139-w
