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High‐Performance Magnesium‐Sulfur Batteries Based on a Sulfurated Poly(acrylonitrile) Cathode, a Borohydride Electrolyte, and a High‐Surface Area Magnesium Anode
Author(s) -
Wang Peiwen,
Trück Janina,
Niesen Stefan,
Kappler Julian,
Küster Kathrin,
Starke Ulrich,
Ziegler Felix,
Hintennach Andreas,
Buchmeiser Michael R.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
batteries and supercaps
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2566-6223
DOI - 10.1002/batt.202000097
Subject(s) - anode , cathode , magnesium , acrylonitrile , electrolyte , battery (electricity) , faraday efficiency , materials science , dielectric spectroscopy , sulfur , chemical engineering , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , inorganic chemistry , electrochemistry , chemistry , metallurgy , composite material , polymer , power (physics) , physics , electrode , copolymer , quantum mechanics , engineering
Post‐lithium‐ion battery technology is considered a key element of future energy storage and management. Apart from high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, economic, ecologic and safety issues become increasingly important. In that regards, both the anode and cathode materials must be easily available, recyclable, non‐toxic and safe, which renders magnesium‐sulfur (Mg−S) batteries a promising choice. Herein, we present Mg−S cells based on a sulfurated poly(acrylonitrile) composite cathode (SPAN), together with a halogen‐free electrolyte containing both Mg[BH 4 ] 2 and Li[BH 4 ] in diglyme and a high‐specific surface area magnesium anode based on Rieke magnesium powder. These cells deliver discharge capacities of 1400 and 800 mAh/g sulfur with >99 % Coulombic efficiency at 0.1 C and 0.5 C, respectively, and are stable over at least 300 cycles. Energy densities are 470 and 400 Wh/kg sulfur at 0.1 C and 0.5 C, respectively. Rate tests carried out between 0.1 C and 2 C demonstrate good rate capability of the cells. Detailed mechanistic studies based on X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electric impedance spectroscopy are presented.