Metal sulfide composite materials for batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries are provided that variously comprise anode and cathode electrodes, an electrolyte, a separator, and, in some designs, a protective layer. In some designs, at least one of the electrodes may comprise a composite of (i) Li2S and (ii) conductive carbon that is embedded in the core of the composite. In some designs, the protective layer may be disposed on at least one of the electrodes via electrolyte decomposition. Various methods of fabrication for lithium-ion battery electrodes and particles are also provided.

1 . A lithium-ion battery, comprising:
 anode and cathode electrodes, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a core-shell composite of (i) a Li 2 S active material and (ii) functional additives, wherein the functional additives comprise a metal oxide and a conductive carbon, with the metal oxide and the carbon being embedded in the core of the composite, and wherein the metal oxide is an active material that exhibits a capacity above 10 mAh/g in an operational potential window of the at least one electrode;   an electrolyte ionically coupling the anode and the cathode; and   a separator electrically separating the anode and the cathode.