Size-Selective Nanoporous Atomically Thin Graphene Separators for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
DOE
Questions this answers
Sources
- doe_osti · checked 2025-09-04
Source record
The underlying research record — supporting evidence for the object above.
Key Details
- Posted Date
- Source
- doe_osti
Description
Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are extensively researched for their high energy densities but are hindered by the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling effect, which results in poor cyclability. A popular mitigation strategy is separator modification, where a LiPS trapping material is slurry-coated onto a conventional microporous polypropylene (PP) separator. This additional mass and volume unfortunately compromise the overall energy density of the LSB. This study aims to take a separator modification approach that avoids this issue. Nanoporous atomically thin membranes (NATMs) made of graphene are gaining attention for their scalable synthesis, tunable pore size, and negligible pore length. Herein, we apply a well-characterized graphene NATM for reasons similar to those of a size-selective interlayer in LSBs. The tailored pore size of ∼0.7–1.0 nm and atomic thinness facilitate the passage of Li<sup>+</sup> (solvated ionic diameters ∼0.54–1.26 nm) and blockage of larger LiPS (solvated ionic diameters ∼0.81–1.69 nm) without adding significant impedances or mass. The sulfur confinement is confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental analysis of the Li anode. An LSB with a NATM@PP separator shows virtually no capacity loss over 150 cycles, demonstrating efficacy of size-selective molecular sieving using NATMs in LSBs.. Authors: Gribble, Daniel A. [Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000178447927); Cheng, Peifu [Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000160106411); Pol, Vilas G. [Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)] (ORCID:000000024866117X); Kidambi, Piran R. [Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States)] (ORCID:0000000315465014). DOE Contract: SC0022237; SC0022915. Subjects: battery separator; graphene; graphene membranes; lithium polysulfide; lithium−sulfur batteries; modified separator; nanoporous atomically thin membranes (NATMs)