Effect of metal additives (Co and Ni) on the electrochemical properties of Lithium/FeS2 batteries

Abstract

Iron, sulfur and transition metal powders were used as the starting materials to prepare iron disulfide (FeS2) cathode material at room temperature by high energy mechanical alloying. Modified FeS2 were also prepared by incorporation of transition metals like Co and Ni. Li/FeS2 cells with the prepared iron disulfides as cathodes were studied for discharge properties at room temperature using the 0.5M LiTFSI in tetra(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (TEGDME). The first discharge capacities of Li/composite FeS2 Cell with 5 wt.% Co and 3 wt.% Ni were 571 and 844 mAh/g, respectively, compared to 389 mAh/g for the cell without any additive. The enhanced properties resulted from the better electronic conductivity of the material containing the metallic additive. The initial capacity and cyclic performance were improved when nickel and cobalt were added to prepare the modified iron disulfide.