A stable room-temperature sodium–sulfur battery

High-energy rechargeable batteries based on earth-abundant materials are important for mobile and stationary storage technologies. Rechargeable sodium-sulfur batteries able to operate stably at room temperature are among the most sought-after platforms because such cells take advantage of a two-electron-redox process to achieve high storage capacity from inexpensive electrode materials. Here we report a room-temperature sodium-sulfur battery that uses a microporous carbon-sulfur composite cathode, and a liquid carbonate electrolyte containing the ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium-chlorate tethered to SiO2 nanoparticles. We show that these cells can cycle stably at a rate of 0.5 C (1 C=1675, mAh g(-1))…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1120296, DMR-1609125, DMR-1120296, 1609125
• CC
  Cornell Center for Materials Research

  Awards: 1120296, DMR-1120296
• DO
  Division of Materials Research

  Awards: DMR-1120296, 1120296, DMR-1609125