Preparation of electrodes of Li-S batteries using inversely vulcanized sulfur

This work focuses on research of lithium-sulfur batteries, which are a promising battery type due to their theoretically high capacity and low environmental impact. Steering away from the commonly used elementary sulfur as the electroactive material of the cathode, inversely vulcanized sulfur with amorphic structure was utilized instead, while the manufacturing process of which was improved and optimized during the research. A series of samples of inversely vulcanized sulfur was synthesised, each containing a different ratio of the input precursors. X-ray diffraction was used to verify the amorphic structure of the material, which simultaneously also ruled out the presence of crystalline sulfur. Additionally, this work presents the results of Raman spectroscopy. At the same time, the possibility of utilization of Raman spectroscopy to identify the exact quantitative ratios of the used precursors was presented for the first time. Specific samples were also handpicked to undertake a dissolution test involving procedural solvents. Electrodes for electrochemical cells (Li-S battery) were manufactured based upon the knowledge gathered. The distribution homogeneity of the electroactive material of the electrode was observed through creation of an elemental map using the EDS technique. Electrochemical characterization of the selected inversely vulcanized sulfur electrode samples was measured using various methods: cyclical voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation