Metal-Organic-Framework-Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte with Immobilized Anions To Stabilize a Lithium Anode for a Quasi-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Battery

Han, DD (Han, Dian-Dian)^[ 1 ] ; Wang, ZY (Wang, Zhen-Yu)^[ 1 ] ; Pan, GL (Pan, Gui-Ling)^[ 2 ] ; Gao, XP (Gao, Xue-Ping)^[ 1 ]

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES, 2019, 11(20): 18427-18435

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b03682

Abstract

A lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is widely regarded as one of the most promising technologies for energy storage because of its high theoretical energy density and cost advantage. However, the shuttling of soluble polysulfides between the cathode and the anode and the consequent lithium anode degradation strongly limit the safety and electrochemical performance in the Li-S battery. Herein, a metal-organic-framework (MOF)-modified gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is employed in a Li-S battery in order to stablize the lithium anode. In view of the abundant pores in the MOF skeleton, the as-prepared GPE not only immobilizes the large-size polysulfide anions but also cages electrolyte anions into the pores, thus facilitating a uniform flux of Li ions and homogeneous Li deposition. Cooperated with a sulfur-carbon composite cathode, the lithium with MOF-modified GPE exhibits a uniform surface morphology and dense solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film, thus delivering good cycle stability and high-rate capability.