Enhanced ALD Nucleation on Polymeric Separator for Improved Li-S Batteries

Giulio D'Acunto; Sanzeeda Baig Shuchi; Xueli Zheng; Long Viet Than; Eva M. Geierstanger; Maggy Harake; Andy Cui; Andreas Werbrouck; Miika Mattinen; Yi Cui; Stacey F. Bent

doi:10.1021/acsami.4c09967

Enhanced ALD Nucleation on Polymeric Separator for Improved Li-S Batteries

Giulio D'Acunto
, Sanzeeda Baig Shuchi
, Xueli Zheng
, Long Viet Than
, Eva M. Geierstanger
, Maggy Harake
, Andy Cui
, Andreas Werbrouck
, Miika Mattinen
, Yi Cui
, Stacey F. Bent (Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their superior energy densities, are emerging as promising successors to conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as the shuttle effect of polysulfides, which affects discharge capacity and cycling stability. This study explores the transformative potential of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al 2O 3 on commercial PP/PE/PP separators (Celgard), combined with the use of UV ozone exposure to enhance ALD nucleation on the separator surface, to address these challenges. We demonstrate that ALD Al 2O 3 not only preserves the separator's inherent morphology but also enhances its chemical interactions toward polysulfide, crucial for optimal battery performance. Moreover, batteries with the modified separator exhibit an enhanced specific capacity, reaching up to ∼1150 mAh/g, and a reduced lithium plating overpotential, indicating improved kinetics. Our findings, based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface characterization and electrochemical evaluations, underscore the significance of ALD-enhanced separators in elevating Li-S battery efficiency by polysulfide adsorption. The research opens up possibilities for high-performance Li-S batteries, suitable for a broad range of applications.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	7007-7018
Number of pages	12
Journal	ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Volume	17
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c09967
Publication status	Published - 29 Jan 2025
Externally published	Yes

Funding

G.D.A. acknowledges support from Wallenberg Foundation Postdoctoral Scholarship Program KAW 2021. 0342. S.F.B. acknowledges support from the Stanford StorageX initiative seed grant award. Y.C. and S.B.S. acknowledge support from the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), of the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) under the Battery Materials Research (BMR) program. Y.C. acknowledges the support from Battery500 Consortium. Part of this work was performed at the Stanford Nano Shared Facilities (SNSF), supported by the National Science Foundation under award ECCS-2026822.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Al O
atomic layer deposition (ALD)
lithium−sulfur batteries
polysulfide shuttling
polysulfide trapping
XPS

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10.1021/acsami.4c09967

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title = "Enhanced ALD Nucleation on Polymeric Separator for Improved Li-S Batteries",

abstract = "Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their superior energy densities, are emerging as promising successors to conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as the shuttle effect of polysulfides, which affects discharge capacity and cycling stability. This study explores the transformative potential of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al 2O 3 on commercial PP/PE/PP separators (Celgard), combined with the use of UV ozone exposure to enhance ALD nucleation on the separator surface, to address these challenges. We demonstrate that ALD Al 2O 3 not only preserves the separator's inherent morphology but also enhances its chemical interactions toward polysulfide, crucial for optimal battery performance. Moreover, batteries with the modified separator exhibit an enhanced specific capacity, reaching up to ∼1150 mAh/g, and a reduced lithium plating overpotential, indicating improved kinetics. Our findings, based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface characterization and electrochemical evaluations, underscore the significance of ALD-enhanced separators in elevating Li-S battery efficiency by polysulfide adsorption. The research opens up possibilities for high-performance Li-S batteries, suitable for a broad range of applications. ",

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AU - Geierstanger, Eva M.

AU - Harake, Maggy

AU - Cui, Andy

AU - Werbrouck, Andreas

AU - Mattinen, Miika

AU - Cui, Yi

AU - Bent, Stacey F.

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N2 - Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their superior energy densities, are emerging as promising successors to conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as the shuttle effect of polysulfides, which affects discharge capacity and cycling stability. This study explores the transformative potential of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al 2O 3 on commercial PP/PE/PP separators (Celgard), combined with the use of UV ozone exposure to enhance ALD nucleation on the separator surface, to address these challenges. We demonstrate that ALD Al 2O 3 not only preserves the separator's inherent morphology but also enhances its chemical interactions toward polysulfide, crucial for optimal battery performance. Moreover, batteries with the modified separator exhibit an enhanced specific capacity, reaching up to ∼1150 mAh/g, and a reduced lithium plating overpotential, indicating improved kinetics. Our findings, based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface characterization and electrochemical evaluations, underscore the significance of ALD-enhanced separators in elevating Li-S battery efficiency by polysulfide adsorption. The research opens up possibilities for high-performance Li-S batteries, suitable for a broad range of applications.

AB - Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, with their superior energy densities, are emerging as promising successors to conventional lithium-ion batteries. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by challenges such as the shuttle effect of polysulfides, which affects discharge capacity and cycling stability. This study explores the transformative potential of atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al 2O 3 on commercial PP/PE/PP separators (Celgard), combined with the use of UV ozone exposure to enhance ALD nucleation on the separator surface, to address these challenges. We demonstrate that ALD Al 2O 3 not only preserves the separator's inherent morphology but also enhances its chemical interactions toward polysulfide, crucial for optimal battery performance. Moreover, batteries with the modified separator exhibit an enhanced specific capacity, reaching up to ∼1150 mAh/g, and a reduced lithium plating overpotential, indicating improved kinetics. Our findings, based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface characterization and electrochemical evaluations, underscore the significance of ALD-enhanced separators in elevating Li-S battery efficiency by polysulfide adsorption. The research opens up possibilities for high-performance Li-S batteries, suitable for a broad range of applications.

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Enhanced ALD Nucleation on Polymeric Separator for Improved Li-S Batteries

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

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