Browsing by Author "Kappler, Julian"

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    High‐performance magnesium‐sulfur batteries based on a sulfurated poly(acrylonitrile) cathode, a borohydride electrolyte, and a high‐surface area magnesium anode
    (2020) Wang, Peiwen; Trück, Janina; Niesen, Stefan; Kappler, Julian; Küster, Kathrin; Starke, Ulrich; Ziegler, Felix; Hintennach, Andreas; Buchmeiser, Michael R.
    Post‐lithium‐ion battery technology is considered a key element of future energy storage and management. Apart from high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, economic, ecologic and safety issues become increasingly important. In that regards, both the anode and cathode materials must be easily available, recyclable, non‐toxic and safe, which renders magnesium‐sulfur (Mg-S) batteries a promising choice. Herein, we present Mg-S cells based on a sulfurated poly(acrylonitrile) composite cathode (SPAN), together with a halogen‐free electrolyte containing both Mg[BH4]2 and Li[BH4] in diglyme and a high‐specific surface area magnesium anode based on Rieke magnesium powder. These cells deliver discharge capacities of 1400 and 800 mAh/gsulfur with >99 % Coulombic efficiency at 0.1 C and 0.5 C, respectively, and are stable over at least 300 cycles. Energy densities are 470 and 400 Wh/kgsulfur at 0.1 C and 0.5 C, respectively. Rate tests carried out between 0.1 C and 2 C demonstrate good rate capability of the cells. Detailed mechanistic studies based on X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electric impedance spectroscopy are presented.
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    The reduction behavior of sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) in lithium-sulfur batteries using a carbonate electrolyte : a computational study
    (2024) Klostermann, Sina V.; Kappler, Julian; Waigum, Alexander; Buchmeiser, Michael R.; Köhn, Andreas; Kästner, Johannes
    Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) have attracted attention due to their high theoretical energy density. This and various other advantages, such as the availability and non-toxicity of sulfur, raise interest in LSBs against the background of the energy revolution. However, a polysulfide shuttle mechanism can adversely affect the electrochemical performance of the cell. The sulfur redox properties are influenced, for example, by the electrolyte and the cathode material. Here, a computational study of the discharge process of an LSB with sulfurized poly(acrylonitrile) (SPAN) as the cathode material in combination with a carbonate electrolyte is presented. The nucleation of produced solid Li2S is compared to soluble Li2S. Dominating species are determined by comparing the Gibbs free energy of several species. We found that multiple lithiation steps occur before each Li2S detachment, preventing longer-chain polysulfide cleavage and a polysulfide shuttle. Through nucleating on the nitrogen-rich backbone of SPAN, Li2S units are stabilized by interactions with each other and with the nitrogen atoms. Experimental data show a potential drop and plateau during discharge, which is consistent with the calculated discharge profiles of SPAN with both soluble and nucleated Li2S, and hints at a direct solid-solid transition in the Li-SPAN cell during discharge when using carbonate-based electrolytes.
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    Sulfur‐composites derived from poly(acrylonitrile) and poly(vinylacetylene) : a comparative study on the role of pyridinic and thioamidic nitrogen
    (2023) Kappler, Julian; Klostermann, Sina V.; Lange, Pia L.; Dyballa, Michael; Veith, Lothar; Schleid, Thomas; Weil, Tanja; Kästner, Johannes; Buchmeiser, Michael R.
    Sulfurized poly(acrylonitrile) (SPAN) is a prominent example of a highly cycle stable and rate capable sulfur/polymer composite, which is solely based on covalently bound sulfur. However, so far no in‐depth study on the influence of nitrogen in the carbonaceous backbone, to which sulfur in the form of thioketones and poly(sulfides) is attached, exists. Herein, we investigated the role of nitrogen by comparing sulfur/polymer composites derived from nitrogen‐containing poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) and nitrogen‐free poly(vinylacetylene) (PVac). Results strongly indicate the importance of a nitrogen‐rich, aromatic carbon backbone to ensure full addressability of the polymer‐bound sulfur and its reversible binding to the aromatic backbone, even at high current rates. This study also presents key structures, which are crucial for highly cycle and rate stable S‐composites.