{"id":{"repo_id":"cambridge","oai_identifier":"oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/275684"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/cambridge/oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/275684","repository":{"repo_id":"cambridge","name":"Cambridge University","base_url":"https://api.repository.cam.ac.uk/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Development of New Cathodic Interlayers with Nano-Architectures for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries","abstract":"Issues with the dissolution and diffusion of polysulfides in liquid organic electrolytes hinder the advance of lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries for next generation energy storage. To trap and re-utilize the polysulfides, brush-like, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires based interlayers were prepared ex-situ using a wet chemistry method and were coupled with a sulfur/multi-walled carbon nanotube (S/MWCNT) composite cathode. The cell with this configuration showed a good cycle life at a high current rate ascribed to (a) a strong interaction between the polysulfides and ZnO nanowires grown on conductive substrates; (b) fast electron transfer and (c) an optimized ion diffusion path from a well-organized nanoarchitecture. A praline-like flexible interlayer consisting of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and carbon (C) nanofiber was further prepared in-situ using an electrospinning method, which allows the chemical adsorption of polysulfides throughout a robust conductive film. A significant enhancement in cycle stability and rate capability was achieved by incorporating this interlayer with a composite cathode of S/MWCNT. These results herald a new approach to building functional interlayers by integrating metal oxides with conductive frameworks. The derivatives of the TiO2/C interlayer was synthesized by changing the precursor concentration and carbonization temperature. Finally, a dual-interlayer was fabricated by simply coating titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles onto an electro-spun carbon nanofiber mat, which was then sandwiched with a sulfur/assembled Ketjen Black (KB) composite cathode with an ultra-high sulfur loading. The conductive polar TiN nanoparticles not only have a strong chemical affinity to polysulfides through a specific sulfur-nitrogen bond but also improve the reaction kinetics of the cell by catalyzing the conversion of the long-chain polysulfides to lithium sulfide. Besides, carbon nanofiber mat ensures mechanical robustness to TiN layer and acts as a physical barrier to block polysulfides diffusion. The incorporation of dual interlayers with sulfur cathodes offers a commercially feasible approach to improving the performance of Li-S batteries.","abstract_html":"Issues with the dissolution and diffusion of polysulfides in liquid organic electrolytes hinder the advance of lithium–sulfur (Li-S) batteries for next generation energy storage. To trap and re-utilize the polysulfides, brush-like, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires based interlayers were prepared ex-situ using a wet chemistry method and were coupled with a sulfur/multi-walled carbon nanotube (S/MWCNT) composite cathode. The cell with this configuration showed a good cycle life at a high current rate ascribed to (a) a strong interaction between the polysulfides and ZnO nanowires grown on conductive substrates; (b) fast electron transfer and (c) an optimized ion diffusion path from a well-organized nanoarchitecture. A praline-like flexible interlayer consisting of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and carbon (C) nanofiber was further prepared in-situ using an electrospinning method, which allows the chemical adsorption of polysulfides throughout a robust conductive film. A significant enhancement in cycle stability and rate capability was achieved by incorporating this interlayer with a composite cathode of S/MWCNT. These results herald a new approach to building functional interlayers by integrating metal oxides with conductive frameworks. The derivatives of the TiO2/C interlayer was synthesized by changing the precursor concentration and carbonization temperature. Finally, a dual-interlayer was fabricated by simply coating titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles onto an electro-spun carbon nanofiber mat, which was then sandwiched with a sulfur/assembled Ketjen Black (KB) composite cathode with an ultra-high sulfur loading. The conductive polar TiN nanoparticles not only have a strong chemical affinity to polysulfides through a specific sulfur-nitrogen bond but also improve the reaction kinetics of the cell by catalyzing the conversion of the long-chain polysulfides to lithium sulfide. Besides, carbon nanofiber mat ensures mechanical robustness to TiN layer and acts as a physical barrier to block polysulfides diffusion. The incorporation of dual interlayers with sulfur cathodes offers a commercially feasible approach to improving the performance of Li-S batteries.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Zhao, Teng"],"institution":"University of Cambridge","degree_name":"Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)","degree_level":"Doctoral","degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Kumar, R. 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To trap and re-utilize the polysulfides, brush-like, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires based interlayers were prepared ex-situ using a wet chemistry method and were coupled with a sulfur/multi-walled carbon nanotube (S/MWCNT) composite cathode. The cell with this configuration showed a good cycle life at a high current rate ascribed to (a) a strong interaction between the polysulfides and ZnO nanowires grown on conductive substrates; (b) fast electron transfer and (c) an optimized ion diffusion path from a well-organized nanoarchitecture. A praline-like flexible interlayer consisting of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and carbon (C) nanofiber was further prepared in-situ using an electrospinning method, which allows the chemical adsorption of polysulfides throughout a robust conductive film. A significant enhancement in cycle stability and rate capability was achieved by incorporating this interlayer with a composite cathode of S/MWCNT. These results herald a new approach to building functional interlayers by integrating metal oxides with conductive frameworks. The derivatives of the TiO2/C interlayer was synthesized by changing the precursor concentration and carbonization temperature. Finally, a dual-interlayer was fabricated by simply coating titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles onto an electro-spun carbon nanofiber mat, which was then sandwiched with a sulfur/assembled Ketjen Black (KB) composite cathode with an ultra-high sulfur loading. The conductive polar TiN nanoparticles not only have a strong chemical affinity to polysulfides through a specific sulfur-nitrogen bond but also improve the reaction kinetics of the cell by catalyzing the conversion of the long-chain polysulfides to lithium sulfide. Besides, carbon nanofiber mat ensures mechanical robustness to TiN layer and acts as a physical barrier to block polysulfides diffusion. 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To trap and re-utilize the polysulfides, brush-like, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires based interlayers were prepared ex-situ using a wet chemistry method and were coupled with a sulfur/multi-walled carbon nanotube (S/MWCNT) composite cathode. The cell with this configuration showed a good cycle life at a high current rate ascribed to (a) a strong interaction between the polysulfides and ZnO nanowires grown on conductive substrates; (b) fast electron transfer and (c) an optimized ion diffusion path from a well-organized nanoarchitecture. A praline-like flexible interlayer consisting of titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and carbon (C) nanofiber was further prepared in-situ using an electrospinning method, which allows the chemical adsorption of polysulfides throughout a robust conductive film. A significant enhancement in cycle stability and rate capability was achieved by incorporating this interlayer with a composite cathode of S/MWCNT. These results herald a new approach to building functional interlayers by integrating metal oxides with conductive frameworks. The derivatives of the TiO2/C interlayer was synthesized by changing the precursor concentration and carbonization temperature. Finally, a dual-interlayer was fabricated by simply coating titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles onto an electro-spun carbon nanofiber mat, which was then sandwiched with a sulfur/assembled Ketjen Black (KB) composite cathode with an ultra-high sulfur loading. The conductive polar TiN nanoparticles not only have a strong chemical affinity to polysulfides through a specific sulfur-nitrogen bond but also improve the reaction kinetics of the cell by catalyzing the conversion of the long-chain polysulfides to lithium sulfide. Besides, carbon nanofiber mat ensures mechanical robustness to TiN layer and acts as a physical barrier to block polysulfides diffusion. 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