A low-cost, high-energy polymer lithium-sulfur cell using a composite electrode and polyethylene oxide (PEO) electrolyte

Herein, we report a polymer cell using high-energy lithium metal anode, a composite sulfur-carbon cathode, and polyethylene oxide (PEO)-lithium trifluoromethan sulfonate (LiCF3SO3) electrolyte. The limited cost of raw materials as well as the very simple synthetic procedures, involving planetary ball milling (for S-C cathode) and solvent casting (for PEO-electrolyte), are expected to reflect into remarkable reduction of the economic impact of the proposed battery. Furthermore, the high energy of the Li-S cell and safety of the polymer configuration represent additional bonuses of the system. The S-C material, revealing a maximum capacity as high as 700 mAh g−1 in liquid electrolyte, is employed in a lithium-sulfur battery with the polymer configuration. The polymer cell delivers a capacity of 450 mAh g−1 at a voltage of about 2 V; hence, a theoretical energy density of 900 Wh kg−1 that may reflect into a high practical value, suitable for energy storage applications.