Lithium sulfur batteries and electrolytes and sulfur cathodes thereof

Abstract

Lithium sulfur battery cells that use water as an electrolyte solvent provide significant cost reductions. Electrolytes for the battery cells may include water solvent for maintaining electroactive sulfur species in solution during cell discharge and a sufficient amount of a cycle life-enhancing compound that facilitates charging at the cathode. The combination of these two components enhances one or more of the following cell attributes: energy density, power density and cycle life. For instance, in applications where cost per Watt-Hour (Wh) is paramount, such as grid storage and traction applications, the use of an aqueous electrolyte in combination with inexpensive sulfur as the cathode active material can be a key enabler for the utility and automotive industries, for example, providing a cost effective and compact solution for load leveling, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Sulfur cathodes, and methods of fabricating lithium sulfur cells, in particular for loading lithium sulfide into the cathode structures, provide further advantages.

1 - 141 . (canceled) 
     
     
         142 . An electrochemical device component comprising:
 an aqueous lithium sulfur battery cell comprising:
 a lithium anode comprising electroactive lithium, 
 a cathode comprising an electron transfer medium, and 
 an aqueous electrolyte disposed in contact with the electron transfer medium but isolated from direct contact with the electroactive lithium; and 
   an electronic component interfacing with the battery cell to prevent hydrogen evolution at the cathode during cell discharge.   
     
     
         143 . An electrochemical device component comprising:
 an aqueous lithium sulfur battery cell comprising:
 a lithium anode comprising electroactive lithium, 
 a cathode comprising an electron transfer medium, and 
 an aqueous electrolyte disposed in contact with the electron transfer medium but isolated from direct contact with the electroactive lithium; and 
   an electronic component interfacing with the battery cell to prevent the formation of oxysulfur compounds at the cathode during cell discharge.   
     
     
         144 . An electrochemical device component comprising:
 an aqueous lithium sulfur battery cell comprising:
 a lithium anode comprising electroactive lithium, 
 a cathode comprising an electron transfer medium, and 
 an aqueous electrolyte disposed in contact with the electron transfer medium but isolated from direct contact with the electroactive lithium; and 
   an electronic component interfacing with the battery cell to prevent hydrogen evolution at the cathode during cell discharge and prevent the formation of oxysulfur compounds at the cathode during cell charge.