Effect of cathode component on the energy density of lithium-sulfur battery

The effect of the carbon black types and the sulfur particle size on the discharge capacity or the utilization of sulfur was investigated for the cathode having high loading of sulfur. The DBP (dibutyl phthalate) absorption number of the used carbon black has a strong effect on the utilization while the specific surface area is not so critical to it. It was also found that the sulfur particle size is a factor having an effect on the utilization. We have improved the cathode component and achieved the utilization of about 50%. By using that cathode, the volumetric energy density of about 330 Wh/I was obtained for the full size Li-S battery (3.8 mm thickness, 35 mm width and 62 mm height). (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.