Abstract
Low volumetric performance is a common bottleneck of carbon-based electrode materials for practical applications, owing to the low density of porous carbons caused by the intrinsic void space. Specifically, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries as a hot topic of next-generation energy storage devices face the same dilemma that we have to balance their intrinsically electrochemical performance and volumetric performance. The use of conductive porous carbon materials in the cathode of Li-S batteries, such as mesoporous carbon, carbon nanotube and graphene-derived carbons, can effectively accelerate the reaction kinetics, improve the electrochemical performance of sulfur cathode and promote the practical application of insulting sulfur. However, addition of these materials results in massive void space in the electrode, which cannot meet the requirement of compact structure in real applications. Such electrodes usually deliver relatively low volumetric performance even though their gravimetric performance can reach a high value.
摘要
随着人们对于储能器件微型化、 长寿命需求的日益增加, 电化学储能器件的体积能量密度成为其重要性能指标. 锂硫电池作为下一代重点发展的高比能量二次电池, 其先进电极材料的研发受到越来越多的关注. 碳材料的使用可有效提高器件性能, 然而较低的电极密度导致锂硫电池体积能量密度较低. 通过对于电极材料的设计以及结构调控, 实现电极材料致密化, 可以有效解决这一问题. 一方面, 提高复合电极材料中硫的含量, 可以提高材料整体密度, 减少非活性组分, 提升电极体积比容量; 另一方面, 通过实现碳材料的致密化, 也可以提高碳/硫复合电极材料密度的调控, 获得具有高体积比容量的电极材料. 本文对目前关于高体积比容量锂硫电池电极材料的研究工作进行了评述, 虽然目前这一方向的研究尚处起步阶段, 然而其必将成为未来锂硫电池研究的重点. 通过集成材料设计、 组装、 器件结构优化等多方面工作, 能够实现高体积比容量电极材料和高体积能量密度锂硫电池的应用, 推动电化学储能领域的发展.
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Chen Zhang received his BSc degree from Tianjin University in 2010 and continued his study as a PhD candidate under the supervision of Prof. Quan-Hong Yang till now. His research interest includes the design and controlled preparation of graphene-based materials for compact energy storage devices.
Quan-Hong Yang was born in 1972 and joined Tianjin University as a full professor of nanomaterials in 2006. He is now also leading a graphene lab as co-director at Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University. His research has been totally focused on novel carbon materials and their applications since the middle of 1990s. His recent research interests include mainly two related aspects: interfacial assembly of graphene for production of functional carbons and carbon-based energy storage devices with high volumetric energy density. See http://nanoyang.tju.edu.cn for more details.
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Zhang, C., Yang, QH. Packing sulfur into carbon framework for high volumetric performance lithium-sulfur batteries. Sci. China Mater. 58, 349–354 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-015-0051-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-015-0051-4