n-Hexane Diluted Electrolyte with Ultralow Density enables Li-S Pouch Battery Toward >400 Wh kg-1

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are attractive candidates for next generation energy storage devices due to their high theoretical energy density of up to 2600 Wh kg(-1). However, the uneven deposition of lithium, the undesired shuttle of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and the excess weight fraction of electrolyte severely impair the practical energy density of Li-S batteries. Here, a low concentrated and nonpolar n-hexane (NH)-diluted electrolyte (named as LCDE) with ultralow-density to alleviate the above dilemmas is proposed. The nonpolar NH boosts the diffusion of lithium ion in LCDE, favoring the homogeneous deposition of lithium. This nonpolar effect also reduces the solubilities of LiPSs, promoting a quasi-solid-state transformation of sulfur chemistry, thus tremendously eradicating the shuttle of LiPSs. Most importantly, the ultra-light NH diluent enables the LCDE with an ultralow density of only 0.79 g mL(-1), which reduces the weight of LCDE by 32.5% compared with conventional ether-based electrolyte. Owing to all the merits, the Li-S pouch cell achieves a high energy density up to 417 Wh kg(-1). The nonpolar NH-diluted electrolyte with multifunction presented in this work provides a new and feasible direction to increase the practical energy density of Li-S batteries.

Automated summary

A low-concentrated and nonpolar n-hexane-diluted electrolyte (LCDE) is proposed to alleviate the issues of uneven lithium deposition and the shuttle of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in lithium-sulfur batteries. The nonpolar effect of n-hexane promotes the homogeneous deposition of lithium and reduces the solubilities of LiPSs, eliminating the shuttle effect. Moreover, the ultra-light n-hexane diluent reduces the density and weight of the electrolyte, resulting in a high energy density in the Li-S pouch cell.