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2. Spectroscopic insights into the electrochemical mechanism of rechargeable calcium/sulfur batteriesGiuliana Aquilanti, Jan Bitenc, Romain Berthelot, Antonio Scafuri, Alen Vižintin, Klemen Pirnat, Lorenzo Stievano, Robert Dominko, Iztok Arčon, Rémi Dedryvère, Dominique Foix, 13, original scientific article Abstract: Calcium batteries represent a promising alternative to lithium metal systems. The combination of the low redox potential and low cost and the energy-dense calcium anode (2073 mAh/cm3, similar to 2044 mAh/cm3 for Li) with appropriate low-cost cathode materials such as sulfur could produce a game-changing technology in several fields of applications. In this work, we present the reversible activity of a proof-of-concept Ca/S battery at room temperature, characterized by a surprising medium-term cycling stability with low polarization, promoted by the use of a simple positive electrode made of sulfur supported on an activated carbon cloth scaffold, and a state-of-the-art fluorinated alkoxyborate-based electrolyte. Insights into the electrochemical mechanism governing the chemistry of the Ca/S system were obtained for the first time by combining X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The mechanism implies the formation of different types of soluble polysulfide species during both charge and discharge at room temperature, and the formation of solid CaS at the end of discharge. The reversible electrochemical activity is proven by the reformation of elemental sulfur at the end of the following charge. These promising results open the way to the comprehension of emerging Ca/S systems, which may represent a valid alternative to Mg/S and Li/S batteries.
Found in: osebi
Keywords: Calcium/Sulfur Batteries
EXAFS, XANES
Published: 17.10.2020; Views: 1125; Downloads: 0
 Fulltext (3,74 MB) |
3. Study of Li-S batteries by S K-edge RIXS spectroscopyRobert Dominko, Iztok Arčon, Marko Petrič, Klemen Bučar, Matjaž Žitnik, Matjaž Kavčič, Alen Vižintin, 2016, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Li-S batteries are considered as one of the most promising candidates for future batteries in applications where high energy density is required [1]. Despite that the general principle of operation is known for a long time [2], the lack of detailed understanding of relevant operation mechanisms has so far prevented their extensive use. A Li-S battery is composed of a lithium metal anode and a sulfur based cathode, separated by a porous separator wetted with electrolyte. During the battery cycle the reduction and oxidation of S to Li2S and back proceeds through a complicated equilibrium mixture of compounds that are typically dissolved in the electrolyte in the form of long and short chain polysulfides. In order to improve our understanding of polysulfide formation and its interactions within electrode, which are essential to achieve the long term cycling stability, development and application of new analytical tools is required.
In this work sulfur K-edge resonant X-ray emission (RXES) measurements were performed on the Li-S battery in operando mode. The experiment was performed at the ID26 beamline at ESRF using the Johansson type tender x-ray emission spectrometer [3]. Full K-L RIXS maps were recorded on a set of chemically prepared Li2Sx sample standards characterized by different Li:S stoichiometric ratio, followed by the operando measurements on Li-S battery. Using the spectra recorded on Li2Sx standards two excitation energies were chosen and RXES spectra from the back of the battery cathode were sequentially acquired during one discharge cycle (C20). The relative amounts of each sulfur compound in the cathode during the discharge cycle were determined from the linear combination fit using measured reference standard spectra. Because of resonant excitation conditions the sensitivity for the polysulfide detection was significantly enhanced. Our work sets up S K-edge RIXS spectroscopy as an important analytical tool to study the mechanism of Li-polysulfide formation in the cathode and their interaction with the host matrix and electrolyte.
Found in: osebi
Keywords: RIXS, RXES, Li-S battery, operando, Sulphur K-edge XANES, Lithium polysulphides, Li2S
Published: 28.06.2016; Views: 3913; Downloads: 0
Fulltext (60,50 KB) |
4. Operando characterization of batteries using x-ray absorption spectroscopy: advances at the beamline XAFS at synchrotron ElettraNicola Novello, Iztok Arčon, Lorenzo Stievano, Robert Dominko, marco Giorgetti, Giuliana Aquilanti, Luca Ivanc Olivieri, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a synchrotron radiation based technique that is able to
provide information on both local structure and electronic properties in a chemically selective
manner. It can be used to characterize the dynamic processes that govern the electrochemical
energy storage in batteries, and to shed light on the redox chemistry and changes in structure
during galvanostatic cycling to design cathode materials with improved properties. Operando
XAS studies have been performed at beamline XAFS at Elettra on different systems. For
Li-ion batteries, a multiedge approach revealed the role of the different cathode components
during the charge and discharge of the battery. In addition, Li-S batteries for automotive
applications were studied. Operando sulfur K-edge XANES and EXAFS analysis was used to
characterize the redox chemistry of sulfur, and to relate the electrochemical mechanism to its
local structure.
Found in: osebi
Keywords: operando studies, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, Li-ion batteries, Li-S batteries
Published: 03.03.2017; Views: 4353; Downloads: 0
Fulltext (1,59 MB) |
5. The mechanism of Li2S activation in lithium-sulfur batteries: Can we avoid the polysulfide formation?Robert Dominko, Tim-Patric Fellinger, Markus Antonietti, Giuliana Aquilanti, Lorenzo Stievano, Iztok Arčon, Elena Tchernychova, Laurent Chabanne, Alen Vižintin, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Electrochemical reactions in the LieS batteries are considered as a multistep reaction process with at least
2e3 equilibrium states. Here we report a possibility of having a conversion of Li2S into sulfur without
detectible formation of polysulfides. That was confirmed by using a novel material system consisting of
carbon coated Li2S particles prepared by carbothermal reduction of Li2SO4. Two independent in operando
measurements showed direct oxidation of Li2S into sulfur for this system, with almost negligible formation
of polysulfides at potentials above 2.5 V vs. Li/Liþ. Our results link the diversity of first charge profiles in the
literature to the Li2S oxidation mechanism and show the importance of ionic wiring within the material.
Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Li2S oxidation mechanism depends on the relative amount of
soluble sulfur in the electrolyte. By controlling the type and the amount of electrolyte within the encapsulating
carbon shell, it is thereby possible to control the reaction mechanism of Li2S activation.
Found in: osebi
Keywords: Lithium-sulfur batteries
Li2S active material
XAS
UV/Vis spectroscopy
Li2S activation
Published: 03.03.2017; Views: 3416; Downloads: 0
Fulltext (2,98 MB) |
6. A Mechanistic Study of Magnesium Sulfur BatteriesAna Robba, Alen Vižintin, Jan Bitenc, Gregor Mali, Iztok Arčon, Matjaž Kavčič, Matjaž Žitnik, Klemen Bučar, Giuliana Aquilanti, Charlotte Martineau-Corcos, Anna Randon-Vitanova, Robert Dominko, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Magnesium sulfur batteries are considered as attractive energy storage devices due to the
abundance of electrochemically active materials and high theoretical energy density. Here we
report the mechanism of a Mg-S battery operation, which was studied in the presence of
simple and commercially available salts dissolved in a mixture of glymes. The electrolyte
offers high sulfur conversion into MgS in the first discharge with low polarization. The
electrochemical conversion of sulfur with magnesium proceeds through two well-defined
plateaus, which correspond to the equilibrium between sulfur and polysulfides (high-voltage
plateau) and polysulfides and MgS (low-voltage plateau). As shown by XANES, RIXS and
NMR studies, the end discharge phase involves MgS with Mg atoms in a tetrahedral
environment resembling the wurtzite structure, while chemically synthesized MgS crystalizes
in the rock-salt structure with octahedral coordination of magnesium.
Found in: osebi
Keywords: magnesium, sulfur, rechargeable batteries, XAS, NMR
Published: 19.10.2017; Views: 2657; Downloads: 0
Fulltext (1,48 MB) |
7. Polysulfides formation in different electrolytes from the perspective of X-ray absorption spectroscopyRobert Dominko, Alen Vižintin, Giuliana Aquilanti, Lorenzo Stievano, Maria Joseph Helen, Anji Reddy Munnangi, Maximilian Fichtner, Iztok Arčon, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Li-S batteries are promising energy storage technology for the future, however there two major problems remained which need to be
solved before successful commercialization. Capacity fading due to polysulfide shuttle and corrosion of lithium metal are directly
connected with the type and quantity of electrolyte used in the cells. Several recent works show dependence of the electrochemical
behavior of Li-S batteries on type of the electrolyte. In this work we compare and discuss a discharge mechanism of sulfur conversion
in three different electrolytes based on measurements with sulfur K-edge XAS. The sulfur conversion mechanism in the ether based
electrolytes, the most studied type of solvents in the Li-S batteries, which are enabling high solubility of polysulfides are compared
with the fluorinated ether based electrolytes with a reduced polysulfide solubility and in carbonate based electrolytes with the sulfur
confined into a ultramicroporous carbon. In all three cases the sulfur reduction proceeds through polysulfide intermediate phases
with a difference on the type polysulfides detected at different steps of discharge.
Found in: osebi
Keywords: Li-S batteries, operando sulphur K-edge XANES, EXAFS, Li-polysulphides
Published: 01.06.2018; Views: 2008; Downloads: 0
Fulltext (579,89 KB) |
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9. Fluorinated ether based electrolyte for high-energy lithium-sulfur batteriesRobert Dominko, Patrik Johansson, Giuliana Aquilanti, Iztok Arčon, Klemen Pirnat, Alen Vižintin, Steffen Jeschke, Sara Drvarič Talian, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Found in: osebi
Keywords: Li-žveplive baterije, XANES, polisulfidi
Published: 12.09.2018; Views: 1681; Downloads: 0
Fulltext (148,44 KB) |
10. Sulfur based batteries studied by in-operando S K-edge RIXS and XAS spectroscopyMatjaž Žitnik, Iztok Arčon, Alen Vižintin, Janez Bitenc, Ana Robba, Matjaž Kavčič, Klemen Bučar, Robert Dominko, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Sulfur based batteries are considered as very attractive energy storage devices. Sulfur is one of the most abundant elements in the earth, it is electrochemically active material which can accept up to two electrons per atom. In combination with alkali metals, sulfur forms electrochemical couples with much higher theoretical energy density compared to Li-ion batteries commonly available today. At the moment, the electrochemical couple with Li is most extensively studied. While the main principle of operation is known the relevant operation mechanism(s) is not completely clear. Even more promising is the electrochemical couple with Mg providing almost twofold higher volumetric energy density due to its ability to provide two electrons during oxidation. However, Mg-S batteries are still in the very early stage of research and development and the complex mechanism of sulfur conversion has been less extensively studied.
In order to improve the understanding of sulfur electrochemical conversion and its interactions within electrode, we need to apply new experimental approaches capable to provide precise information about local environment of S in the cathode during battery operation. In our work, resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) and XAS measurements at the sulfur K-edge performed in operando mode were used to study the lithium-polysulfide formation during the discharge process. Measurements were performed at ID26 beamline of the ESRF synchrotron using tender X-ray emission spectrometer [1]. Resonant excitation condition enhanced the sensitivity for the lithium−polysulfide detection. On the other hand, the sulfate signal from the electrolyte was heavily suppressed and the self-absorption effects minimized due to fixed excitation energy.
This experimental methodology was used to provide quantitative analysis of sulfur compounds in the cathode of a Li−S battery cell during the discharge process [2]. The high-voltage plateau in the discharge curve was characterized by a rapid conversion of solid sulfur into liquid phase Li polysulfides reaching its maximum at the end of this plateau. At this point the starting point for the precipitation of the Li2S from the liquid polysulfide phase was observed. The same approach has been used also for the Mg-S battery revealing similar mechanism as in case of Li-S battery [3]. The electrochemical conversion of sulfur with magnesium proceeds through two well-defined plateaus, which correspond to the equilibrium between sulfur and Mg polysulfides (high-voltage plateau) and polysulfides and MgS (low-voltage plateau).
Found in: osebi
Keywords: Mg-Sulphur batteries, XANES, RIXS
Published: 13.09.2018; Views: 2450; Downloads: 0
Fulltext (123,32 KB) |
