Electrochemical Reactivation of Dead Li<sub>2</sub>S for Li−S Batteries in Non‐Solvating Electrolytes
Xiaoqun Qi, Fengyi Yang, Pengfei Sang, Zhenglu Zhu, Xiaoyu Jin, Yujun Pan, Jie Ji, Ruining Jiang, Haoran Du, Yongsheng Ji, Yongzhu Fu, Long Qie, Yunhui Huang
Abstract
Abstract The use of non‐solvating, or as‐called sparingly‐solvating, electrolytes (NSEs), is regarded as one of the most promising solutions to the obstacles to the practical applications of Li−S batteries. However, it remains a puzzle that long‐life Li−S batteries have rarely, if not never, been reported with NSEs, despite their good compatibility with Li anode. Here, we find the capacity decay of Li−S batteries in NSEs is mainly due to the accumulation of the dead Li 2 S at the cathode side, rather than the degradation of the anodes or electrolytes. Based on this understanding, we propose an electrochemical strategy to reactivate the accumulated Li 2 S and revive the dead Li−S batteries in NSEs. With such a facile approach, Li−S batteries with significantly improved cycling stability and accelerated dynamics are achieved with diglyme‐, acetonitrile‐ and 1,2‐dimethoxyethane‐based NSEs. Our finding may rebuild the confidence in exploiting non‐solvating Li−S batteries with practical competitiveness.