Redox-active supramolecular polymer binders derived from perylene bisimide nanowires enable high-rate lithium-sulfur batteries
To address the need for multi-functional binders specifically tailored for sulfur cathodes π-stacked perylene bisimide (PBI) molecules are repurposed as redox-active supramolecular binders in sulfur cathodes for Li—S cells. In operando lithiation of PBI binders permanently reduces Li—S cell impedance enabling high-rate cycling, a critical step toward unlocking the full potential of Li—S batteries.
1. A composition of matter comprising:
a redox-active supramolecular polymer binder comprising π-stacked perylene bisimide (PBI) molecules comprising a lithiated PBI molecule; and
a cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) modified graphene oxide-sulfur (GO-S) nanocomposite, wherein GO further comprises a plurality of functional groups and S is bonded to carbon atoms.
2. The composition of matter of claim 1 , wherein the redox-active supramolecular polymer binder comprises nanowires.
3. The composition of matter of claim 2 further comprising a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer.
4. The composition of matter of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of functional groups includes at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy bridge, a hydroxyl group, a phenol group, and a carbonyl group.
5. An electrode comprising:
a redox-active supramolecular polymer binder comprising π-stacked perylene bisimide (PBI) molecules comprising a lithiated PBI molecule; and
a cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) modified graphene oxide-sulfur (GO-S) nanocomposite, wherein GO further comprises a plurality of functional groups and S is bonded to carbon atoms.
6. The electrode of claim 5 , wherein the redox-active supramolecular polymer binder comprises nanowires.
7. The electrode of claim 6 further comprising a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer.
8. The electrode of claim 7 further comprising Ketjenblack (KB) or carbon black (CB).
9. The electrode of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of functional groups includes at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy bridge, a hydroxyl group, a phenol group, and a carbonyl group.
10. The electrode of claim 9 , wherein the electrode is a cathode.
11. A battery comprising:
a cathode comprising:
a redox-active supramolecular polymer binder comprising π-stacked perylene bisimide (PBI) molecules comprising a lithiated PBI molecule; and
a cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) modified graphene oxide-sulfur (GO-S) nanocomposite, wherein GO further comprises a plurality of functional groups and S is bonded to carbon atoms;
a separator;
an anode; and
an electrolyte.
12. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the redox-active supramolecular polymer binder comprises nanowires.
13. The battery of claim 12 , wherein the cathode further comprising a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer.
14. The battery of claim 13 , wherein the cathode further comprising Ketjenblack (KB) or carbon black (CB).
15. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of functional groups includes at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy bridge, a hydroxyl group, a phenol group, and a carbonyl group.
16. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the separator comprises a porous polypropylene.
17. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the porous polypropylene is a Celgard 3501 or a Celgard 2400.
18. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the electrolyte comprises an ionic liquid-based electrolyte.
19. The battery of claim 18 , wherein the electrolyte comprises a mixture of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) and dimethoxyethane (DME) with lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI).
20. The battery of claim 19 , wherein the ionic liquid comprises (n-methyl-(n-butyl) pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI).
21. The battery of claim 20 , wherein the electrolyte comprises a lithium nitrate (LiNO 3 ) additive.
22. The battery of claim 21 , wherein the electrolyte comprises PYR 14 TFSI-LiTFSI-PEGDME.
23. The battery of claim 22 , wherein the electrolyte comprises LiTFSI-PEGDME.
24. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the electrolyte comprises Lithium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide (LiTFSI) in N-methyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (PYR 14 TFSI)/dioxolane (DOL)/Dimethoxyethane (DME) (2:1:1, v/v) containing 1 wt % LiNO 3 .
25. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the cathode further comprises an aluminum substrate.
26. The composition of matter of claim 1 , wherein the PBI comprises the chemical structure:
wherein R is
27. The electrode of claim 5 , wherein the PBI comprises the chemical structure:
wherein R is
28. The battery of claim 11 , wherein the PBI comprises the chemical structure:
wherein R is