Can I use a copper foil anode instead of a Li foil anode in a lithium-sulfur battery coin cell?
Copper acts as a current collector, not an anode material. In LIBs, a similar cell configuration known as an anode-free config has been studied. However, in Li-S batteries, if you use sulfur as the cathode material, there is no lithium resource. So how can it work?
Using a copper foil anode instead of a lithium (Li) foil anode in a lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery coin cell is not recommended. The choice of anode material in Li-S batteries is crucial for the overall performance and stability of the battery.
Lithium foil is commonly used as the anode in Li-S batteries due to its low reduction potential and high specific capacity, which enables efficient and reversible lithium-ion transport during charge and discharge cycles. Copper foil, on the other hand, has a higher reduction potential and is not compatible with the necessary electrochemical processes in a Li-S battery.
Furthermore, using copper as an anode material in a Li-S battery can lead to several issues. During the charging process, copper can undergo electrochemical reactions with sulfur species, resulting in the deposition of insulating copper sulfide (CuS) on the copper foil surface. This can impede the electrochemical reactions, reduce the battery's capacity, and lead to poor cycling performance.
Additionally, copper has a higher ionic diffusion coefficient compared to lithium, which can result in copper dendrite formation during cycling. Dendrites are filament-like structures that can penetrate the battery's separator and cause short circuits, leading to safety hazards.
Therefore, it is strongly advised to use lithium foil as the anode material in a lithium-sulfur battery coin cell to ensure proper performance, stability, and safety.
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