Sulfur containing nanoporous materials, nanoparticles, methods and applications
Sulfur containing nanoparticles that may be used within cathode electrodes within lithium ion batteries include in a first instance porous carbon shape materials (i.e., either nanoparticle shapes or “bulk” shapes that are subsequently ground to nanoparticle shapes) that are infused with a sulfur material. A synthetic route to these carbon and sulfur containing nanoparticles may use a template nanoparticle to form a hollow carbon shape shell, and subsequent dissolution of the template nanoparticle prior to infusion of the hollow carbon shape shell with a sulfur material. Sulfur infusion into other porous carbon shapes that are not hollow is also contemplated. A second type of sulfur containing nanoparticle includes a metal oxide material core upon which is located a shell layer that includes a vulcanized polymultiene polymer material and ion conducting polymer material. The foregoing sulfur containing nanoparticle materials provide the electrodes and lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance.
1. A material comprising at least one nanoparticle comprising:
a carbon material support comprising a hollow sphere shape mesoporous carbon material; and
an elemental sulfur material supported on and within the carbon material support, wherein the material is an active material.
2. The material of claim 1 wherein:
a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the material within a cathode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts over at least 10 cyclic voltammogram cycles;
the cyclic voltammogram uses a lithium bis (trifluoromethane sulfone) imide in tetraglyme electrolyte;
the cyclic voltammogram also shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.0 volts; and
the cyclic voltammogram also shows a stable oxidation peak at about 2.35 volts and a stable oxidation peak at about 2.45 volts.
3. The material of claim 2 wherein the cyclic voltammogram shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts over at least 60 cyclic voltammogram cycles.
4. The material of claim 2 wherein the cyclic voltammogram shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts over at least 100 cyclic voltammogram cycles.
5. The material of claim 1 wherein the carbon material support comprises at least in-part a graphite carbon material.
6. The material of claim 1 wherein the elemental sulfur material comprises an amorphous sulfur material comprising up to about 70 percent by weight sulfur material.
7. The material of claim 1 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the nanoparticle within a cathode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts.
8. The material of claim 1 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the active material within a cathode comprising a stable reduction peak of at least about 2.0 volts.
9. An electrode comprising:
a conductive support; and
a coating located upon the conductive support, the coating comprising an material comprising a nanoparticle comprising:
a carbon material support comprising a hollow sphere shape mesoporous carbon material; and
an elemental sulfur material supported on and within the carbon material support.
10. The electrode of claim 9 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the material within the electrode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts over at least 60 cyclic voltammogram cycles.
11. The electrode of claim 10 wherein the cyclic voltammogram of the electrode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts over at least 100 cyclic voltammogram cycles.
12. The electrode of claim 9 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the active material within a cathode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts.
13. The electrode of claim 9 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the active material within a cathode comprising a stable reduction peak of at least about 2.0 volts.
14. A battery comprising an electrode comprising:
a conductive support; and
a coating located upon the conductive support, the coating comprising an material comprising a nanoparticle comprising:
a carbon material support comprising a hollow sphere shape mesoporous carbon material; and
an elemental sulfur material supported on the carbon material support.
15. The battery of claim 14 wherein:
the electrode comprises a cathode; and
the battery comprises a lithium ion battery.
16. The battery of claim 14 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the active material within the electrode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts over at least 60 cyclic voltammogram cycles.
17. The battery of claim 16 wherein the cyclic voltammogram of the battery shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts over at least 100 cyclic voltammogram cycles.
18. The battery of claim 14 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the active material within a cathode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts.
19. The battery of claim 14 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the active material within a cathode comprising a stable reduction peak of at least about 2.0 volts.
20. An active material comprising at least one nanoparticle consisting essentially of:
a carbon material support consisting essentially of a hollow shaped sphere mesoporous carbon material; and
an elemental sulfur material supported on and within the carbon material support.
21. The active material of claim 20 wherein a cyclic voltammogram of a lithium-sulfur cell that includes the nanoparticle within a cathode shows a stable reduction peak at about 2.4 volts.