A contribution to the progress of high energy batteries: A metal-free, lithium-ion, silicon-sulfur battery

In this work we disclose a new, lithium metal-free, silicon-sulfur, lithium ion battery based on a high-rate sulfur-carbon composite cathode, formed by trapping sulfur in highly porous and hard carbon spherules, combined with a lithiated, silicon-carbon nanocomposite anode, separated by a glycol-based electrolyte. This 2V battery shows an average specific capacity of 300 mAh g((s))(-1), a long cycle life, an expected low cost and high safety. Due to these properties, this new battery is expected to be a very valid power source for efficient electric vehicles. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.