Manganese modified zeolite silicalite-1 as polysulphide sorbent in lithium sulphur batteries

Discharge/charge process of classical lithium sulphur battery proceeds through intermediate polysulphides which are soluble in classical electrolyte systems. Due to concentration gradient soluble polysulphides easily diffuse/migrate out from cathode composite forming non-uniform distribution of the sulphur within cathode. Eventually polysulphides can be completely reduced on the metallic lithium anode. In this work we compare the sorption properties of manganese modified zeolite silicalite-1 (MnS-1) with a cathode composite containing SBA-15 additive and a cathode composite without additive. Careful analysis using XPS and FIB microscopy equipped with EDX show improved retention of polysulphide species within cathode composite in the case of MnS-1 zeolite as an additive. Interestingly, the amount of sulphur species detected by XPS on the metallic lithium is very similar regardless on cathode composite we use. Finally, similar cycling behaviour can be observed if MnS-1 zeolite is used as an interlayer between composite cathode and separator. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.