Communication—Influence of Temperature and Electrolyte Viscosity on the Electrochemical Performance of SPAN-Based Lithium-Sulfur Cells

Abstract

Sulfurized poly(acrylonitrile)- (SPAN) derived lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cells based on four different carbonate-containing electrolytes and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfon)imide as conducting salt have been investigated in terms of their rate capability and capacity over a temperature range of 80ºC. While temperatures > 38ºC resulted in rapid and irreversible cell degeneration, cells operated between −20 and 0ºC showed decreasing capacities at all C-rates due to increasing electrolyte viscosity; however, these cells were not damaged and capacity was fully recovered upon warming to room temperature. Overall, SPAN-derived Li-S cells can be operated reversibly between −20 and 38ºC.