Environmental Solid Waste‐derived Carbon for Advanced Rechargeable Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries: A Review

Abstract

Lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries are lighter and cheaper than today's electrochemical energy storage devices for the forthcoming generations. Particularly the low price and abundance of sulfur as the cathode material, high energy density, and theoretical capacity are delightful characteristics. However, Li−S batteries have many hindrances to attain their commercial applications. Among the challenges are the polysulfide shuttle effect, the insulating property of sulfur, and large volume expansion during charging‐discharging processes. Researchers have carried out comprehensive research on the potential solutions to these challenges. Environmental waste‐derived carbon has an increasingly important role in the energy storage devices (Li−S batteries) due to their sustainable development, low cost, heteroatom doping, large specific surface area, adjustable pore size, easily available sources, and high electric conductivity, which had a significant effect to enhance electrochemical performance. This review highlighted the research progress on carbon derived from environmental solid wastes for the application of Li−S batteries. Furthermore, the preparation, morphology, and design protocols of carbon derived from solid wastes are elaborated for energy storage devices focused on Li−S batteries. These properties inspire researchers in the rational design of environmental waste‐derived carbon materials for sustainable and advanced electrochemical energy storage devices.

Green Production of Biomass-Derived Carbon Materials for High-Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…Under room temperature, elemental sulfur (S 8 ) is an insulator for Li + and electrons (5 × 10 −28 S cm −1 ). Likewise, Li 2 S is also an insulator for both Li + and electrons (<10 −14 S cm −1 ) [54]. In the working process, the low Li + and electron conductivity of the charge-discharge product hinders the charge-discharge process of the battery.…”

From trash to treasure: crafting electrochemical supercapacitors with recycled waste materials

“…Reviews focused on SCs, in particular, are relatively scarce. Contrary to this, those discussing their competitors (such as batteries) have been widely reported [26][27][28][29][30]. Therefore, this study presents several recent developments in SCs concerning SWM and energy savings.…”