Inhibition of lithium dendrite growth by forming rich polyethylene oxide-like species in a solid-electrolyte interphase in a polysulfide/carbonate electrolyte

Abstract

The formation of Li dendrites is effectively inhibited by utilizing a small amount of polysulfide (1 to 2 mM Li₂S_x, 2 ≤ x ≤ 8) in a conventional carbonate electrolyte to introduce a significant amount of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-like polymers into solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) films. The polysulfide added likely acts as a catalyst rather than an additive, which is not consumed during repeated charging/discharging cycles. Thus the stability of Li-metal batteries during prolonged cycling is remarkably improved.