Monitoring Redox Pathways and Performance Limitations in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries Using In Situ ^7/6 Li and ³³ S NMR Spectroscopies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries offer high capacity and reduced costs in comparison to the traditional lithium‐ion systems. However, the complex series of redox mechanisms that occur in this battery chemistry and accompanying structural transformations are often associated with different routes for cell failure. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanisms is essential to accelerate the development of these batteries. The combination of operando 6/7 Li and 33 S NMR spectroscopy is reported for the first time, providing real‐time structural information on the reaction pathways of the sulfur redox processes. The evolution of the polysulfides (poly‐S) in the electrolyte and dendrite formation on the anode was monitored with 7 Li and 6 Li NMR spectroscopy. Via 33 S NMR experiments, the exact onset of Li 2 S formation was determined. By following the evolution of poly‐S species and Li 2 S, we could track the entire redox pathway and identify performance‐limiting mechanisms. The accumulation of soluble poly‐S, resulting from an incomplete poly‐S to S 8 reduction reaction during charge, was identified as one process leading to capacity fade, while degradation via a poly‐S shuttle mechanism was negligible, at least during the first few cycles.