High Sulfur Content Material with Stable Cycling in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

We demonstrate a novel crosslinked disulfide system as a cathode material for Li-S cells that is designed with the two criteria of having only a single point of S-S scission and maximizing the ratio of S-S to the electrochemically inactive framework. The material therefore maximizes theoretical capacity while inhibiting the formation of polysulfide intermediates that lead to parasitic shuttle. The material we report contains a 1:1 ratio of S:C with a theoretical capacity of 609mAhg(-1). The cell gains capacity through 100cycles and has 98% capacity retention thereafter through 200cycles, demonstrating stable, long-term cycling. Raman spectroscopy confirms the proposed mechanism of disulfide bonds breaking to form a S-Li thiolate species upon discharge and reforming upon charge. Coulombic efficiencies near 100% for every cycle, suggesting the suppression of polysulfide shuttle through the molecular design.