Electrochemistry of a lithium electrode in lithium polysulfide solutions

The effect of lithium polysulfides on the cycling of a lithium electrode and the corrosion rate of lithium cathodic deposits in sulfolane electrolytes is studied. Lithium polysulfides are found to affect the shape of polarization curves, the overpotential of electrode processes, and the cycling time. The presence of lithium polysulfides in electrolyte systems increases the cycling time of a. lithium electrode and positively affects the quality of lithium cathodic deposits. A suggested reason for the positive effect of lithium polysulfides is the appearance of a surface film on metallic lithium: this film has quite high protective properties but does not inhibit electrochemical processes.