Amorphous TiS4 positive electrode for lithium–sulfur secondary batteries

• Published in: Electrochemistry communications Vol. 31; pp. 71 - 75
• Main Authors: Sakuda, Atsushi, Taguchi, Noboru, Takeuchi, Tomonari, Kobayashi, Hironori, Sakaebe, Hikari, Tatsumi, Kuniaki, Ogumi, Zempachi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.06.2013; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Lithium batteries; Lithium–sulfur batteries; Polysulfide; Titanium sulfide; Polysulfide; Lithium batteries; Titanium sulfide; Lithium–sulfur batteries; Scanning electron microscopy; Cycling; Lithium―sulfur batteries; Secondary cell; Polysulfides; Amorphous state; X ray diffraction; Titanium Sulfides; Discharge charge cycle; Lithium sulfur batteries; Surface structure; Electrodes; Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry; Morphology; Composite electrode; Specific capacity; Electrical characteristic; Modified material; Acetylene black
• ISSN: 1388-2481; 1873-1902
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2013.03.004

Composite electrodes based on amorphous titanium polysulfide and acetylene black were mechanically prepared, and their performance was investigated. The amorphous TiS4 and acetylene black composites were discharged and charged with a high reversible capacity of 563mAhg−1 in the 1.9–3.0 voltage range. The Coulombic efficiency of the composite was higher than that of a sulfur electrode because the dissolution of the polysulfide into electrolytes was suppressed. Amorphization and dispersion of carbon inside the particles were effective in improving the performance of the titanium polysulfide electrodes. •Amorphous titanium polysulfide-acetylene black composite was mechanically prepared.•Acetylene black was dispersed inside a-TiS4 particles in the composite.•The composite discharged and charged with a high reversible capacity of 650mAhg−1.•Relatively high coulomb efficiency was achieved by suppressing polysulfide dissolution.