Electrolyte systems including chalcogenides and compound containing electron withdrawing group, and electrochemical cell including the same

Abstract

Myriad problems with state of the art lithium based batteries, particularly electrolyte systems thereof, including but not limited to polysulfide shuttling, formation of lithium dendrites and dead lithium during stripping and plating, thermal runaway, volumetric expansion, and strict requirements for electrolyte composition, are well documented in the art and remain major obstacles to realizing the unsurpassed potential for lithium-based batteries as ideal energy storage solutions. The inventive concepts presented herein address said challenges from a multi-pronged approach, revolutionizing the electrolyte system from different approaches to produce synergistic benefits, both within the individual approaches and particularly in combination. The inventive concepts improve electrolyte systems with respect to solvents, electron withdrawing compounds, lithium ion-transporting compounds, performance enhancing additives and chalcogenides. These developments provide benefits including: improved charge/discharge capacity, Coulombic efficiency, cycle life, sulfur optimization, oxidative stability, etc. while reducing polysulfide shuttling and lithium dendrite formation, among other benefits.