Understanding Electrochemical Reaction Mechanisms of Sulfur in All-Solid-State Batteries through Operando and Theoretical Studies

Abstract

Due to its outstanding safety and high energy density, all-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASLSBs) are considered as a potential future energy storage technology. The electrochemical reaction pathway in ASLSBs with inorganic solid-state electrolytes is different from Li-S batteries with liquid electrolytes, but the mechanism remains unclear. By combining operando Raman spectroscopy and ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we investigated the reaction mechanism of sulfur (S₈ ) in ASLSBs. Our results revealed that no Li₂ S_8, Li₂ S_6, and Li₂ S₄ were formed, yet Li₂ S₂ was detected. Furthermore, first-principles structural calculations were employed to disclose the formation energy of solid state Li₂ S_n (1≤n≤8), in which Li₂ S₂ was a metastable phase, consistent with experimental observations. Meanwhile, partial S₈ and Li₂ S₂ remained at the full lithiation stage, suggesting incomplete reaction due to sluggish reaction kinetics in ASLSBs.

Keywords: All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries; Operando Raman Spectroscopy; Solid-State Reactions; Sulfur; X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy.