A new lithium secondary battery system: the sulfur/lithium-ion battery

A new lithium secondary battery system, the sulfur/lithium-ion battery, has been constructed by employing a lithium/Sn-C composite anode, a carbyne polysulfide cathode, and a carbonic ester electrolyte. Compared with a lithium/sulfur battery, the use of a lithium/Sn-C composite anode ensures the high safety of the new battery. Meanwhile, the novel battery possesses high-energy characteristics. It delivers a reversible capacity of 500 mA h g super(-1) after 50 cycles at a current density of 200 mA g super(-1), which ensures a stable specific energy of 410 W h kg super(-1). As all of the materials required for the new battery are readily available and low-cost, and the techniques are simple, this new battery has a strong potential for use in industry. Furthermore, there is considerable room for improvement of the energy density of the sulfur/lithium-ion battery, and the new battery is one of the most promising candidates for the next generation of high-performance rechargeable batteries.