Li-S-B Glass-Ceramics: A Novel electrode materials for energy storage technology

Abstract

Future alternatives for an electrode lithium borate-based glass–ceramic (GC) has been developed for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The composition of the GC is xNiO-(0.20-x)MnO₂-0.80(Li₂S:B₂O₃), where x varies from 0.10, 0.13, 0.15, and 0.16. The GC were fabricated using the melt-quenching technique. The nature of the GC was determined using XRD examinations. The SEM-EDS analysis indicates the presence along with the distribution of components in the plate glasses. The battery charge/discharge tests showed that the 0.16NiO-0.04MnO₂-0.8(Li₂S:B₂O₃) (0.16Ni-0.04Mn) glass-ceramics exhibited a potential range of 0.8–1.1 V and a discharge capacity of 70 mAh.g⁻¹ during the first cycle. Additionally, these GC demonstrated excellent cycling stability for over 100 cycles. As the same time, electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements showed that the Li diffusion coefficient in 0.16Ni-0.04Mn GC was found to be 0.34 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 0.75 × 10⁻¹¹ cm².s⁻¹ for before and after cycling, which is smaller than 0.10Ni-0.10Mn. Synchrotron-based XANES highlighted the oxidation state of Ni²⁺, as well as the mixing of Mn^2+/3+ and S⁻¹. The addition of Ni and Mn into the lithium-sulfur borate glass system has improved its electrochemical characteristics, making it a very interesting and economically viable option for energy storage technology electrodes.