Advances of Organosulfur Materials for Rechargeable Metal Batteries

Abstract

Battery materials have become a hotspot in the academic research. Organosulfur compounds are considered as a promising class of cathode materials for rechargeable metal batteries. They have attracted increasing attention in recent years after a long-term stagnancy since 1980s. Recent studies have focused on the understanding of redox mechanism of linear organosulfur molecules R-S n -R with defined structures. In addition, some new organosulfur compounds are developed. The reversible sulfur-sulfur (S-S) bond breakage/formation of organosulfur in batteries makes them applicable as functional materials in batteries. In this review, new organosulfur materials including molecules, polymers, and composites are introduced. In the following, organosulfur-inorganic hybrid materials are discussed, which have shown unique redox process and enhanced battery performance. In the third part, organosulfur additives are used in Li-S batteries, which can improve the formation of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and alter the redox pathways of sulfur cathodes. In the fourth part, organosulfur materials used in other metal batteries are introduced. Lastly, a summary and some perspectives are given. This review presents an overview of the recent advances of organosulfur materials in batteries and provides guidance for the future development of these materials.

Sulfur‐containing polymer cathode materials: From energy storage mechanism to energy density

“…As illustrated in Figure 2A,B, sulfur‐containing polymers are always polymers that contain sulfur fragments and organic compounds have been fall under two classes. One is the polymers having sulfur‐containing linkages in backbone or branch (organosulfide polymers belong to this class), 22–24 and the other is the polymers with sulfur‐bearing groups 25 . Sulfur‐containing polymers can be produced by all the known methods such as by directly modifying the monomers and the polymers, such as polyamides with sulfur‐bearing groups, sulfur based polybenzimidazoles, sulfur containing polyurethanes, polyesters with sulfur‐based groups, and so on.…”

“…In recent years, some new cathode materials regarding sulfur‐containing polymers obtained magic achievements, which fully reveal their tremendous potential. Sulfur‐containing polymers with S atom less than six on sulfur‐chain are promising candidate as which avoid the generation of soluble high‐order polysulfides, thereby contributing to solve the shuttle problem from the root 24,25 . It is worth noting that, the special electrochemical behavior makes a noticeable difference on Li‐S batteries in the aspects of active materials utilization rate, discharging voltage enhancement, and energy density improvement.…”

“…One is the polymers having sulfur-containing linkages in backbone or branch (organosulfide polymers belong to this class), [22][23][24] and the other is the polymers with sulfur-bearing groups. 25 Sulfur-containing polymers can be produced by all the known methods such as by directly modifying the monomers and the polymers, such as polyamides with sulfur-bearing groups, sulfur based polybenzimidazoles, sulfur containing polyurethanes, polyesters with sulfur-based groups, and so on. The unique performances come up from their functionally sulfurbased groups of structure.…”

“…Sulfur-containing polymers with S atom less than six on sulfur-chain are promising candidate as which avoid the generation of soluble high-order polysulfides, thereby F I G U R E 1 Reaction mechanism of electrochemical behaviors in a traditional Li-S battery during charging and discharging processes contributing to solve the shuttle problem from the root. 24,25 It is worth noting that, the special electrochemical behavior makes a noticeable difference on Li-S batteries in the aspects of active materials utilization rate, discharging voltage enhancement, and energy density improvement. In spite of this, few reviews on organic polysulfide cathode materials has been reported.…”

Biomass‐Derived Lenthionine Enhanced by Radical Receptor for Rechargeable Lithium Battery

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11] Organosulfides as active materials provide lower specific capacities than the elemental sulfur, but they have the advantages of more precise structures, less lithium products, and more controlled redox mechanism. [12] Specifically, the chemical structures of organosulfides are quite diverse and tunable, having a broad space for exploration. [13] Importantly, lithium polysulfides are less formed in organosulfide cathodes; therefore, the inherent problems of sulfur could be avoided, such as the shuttle effect.…”