Preparation of electrochemically active lithium sulfide–carbon composites using spark-plasma-sintering process

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 195; no. 9; pp. 2928 - 2934
• Main Authors: Takeuchi, Tomonari, Sakaebe, Hikari, Kageyama, Hiroyuki, Senoh, Hiroshi, Sakai, Tetsuo, Tatsumi, Kuniaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbon composite; 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 sulfide; Lithium-ion battery; Materials; Positive electrode; Spark-plasma-sintering process; Positive electrode; Lithium-ion battery; Spark-plasma-sintering process; Carbon composite; Lithium sulfide; Lithium battery; Spark plasma sintering; Cathode; Activated carbon; Lithium; Carbon; Composite material
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.11.011

Electrochemically active lithium sulfide–carbon (Li 2S–C) composite positive electrodes, applicable for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, were prepared using spark-plasma-sintering (SPS) process. The electrochemical tests demonstrated that the SPS-treated Li 2S–C composites showed the initial charge and discharge capacities of ca. 1200 and 200 mAh g −1, respectively, though Li 2S has been reported to show no significant charge capacities when conventionally mixed with carbon powder. Such activation of Li 2S was attributed principally to strong bindings between Li 2S and carbon powders, formed by the SPS treatment. The ex situ XRD measurements showed that some amounts of Li 2S were still remained unchanged and any elemental sulfur was not detected even at fully charged state, which was similar to Li/S cells.