Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: State of the Art and Future Directions

Abstract

Sulfur remains in the spotlight as a future cathode candidate for the post-lithium-ion age. This is primarily due to its low cost and high discharge capacity, two critical requirements for any future cathode material that seeks to dominate the market of portable electronic devices, electric transportation, and electric-grid energy storage. However, before Li–S batteries replace lithium ion batteries, several technical challenges need to be solved. Among these challenges are polysulfide containment, the increase of sulfur loading (which must be ≥4–6 mg cm –2), the increase of sulfur fraction to ≥70%, the increase of sulfur utilization to ≥80%, the decrease of the electrolyte/sulfur weight ratio (which must be in the range of 3:1 or lower), and the stability of lithium anode material. Besides traditional carbon coating strategies, recent novel strategies addressing each of these challenges have been reported. The main purpose of this work is to review the state of the art and summarize and shed light on the most promising recent discoveries related to each challenge. This review also addresses the role of the electrolyte systems and electrocatalytic additives.

Housing Sulfur in Polymer Composite Frameworks for Li–S Batteries

“…Similarly structured metal oxides [95], metal sulfides [97], and metal carbides [100] can provide sites for binder mechanical interlocking while simultaneously housing the sulfur-active materials. In-depth reviews on the design of sulfur hosts have already been provided by many researchers, which we direct readers to for further information [7,34,35,[46][47][48][49][50][51][106][107][108][109][110].…”

A molecular dynamics study of a fully zwitterionic copolymer/ionic liquid‐based electrolyte: Li+ transport mechanisms and ionic interactions

“…In this regard, highly efficient and safe advanced energy storage devices are required due to the intermittent character of these energy resources, and for applications in the transportation sector where further electrification is necessary. [1][2][3][4] For the last several decades, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been the most rapidly growing energy storage technology, being used in various scales; from small portable devices, smartphones, and portable computers to larger devices such as electric vehicles (EVs). 5 Much of the success of LIBs is based on their high energy and power density.…”

Batteries Safety: Recent Progress and Current Challenges

“…Reactivity of these ions with electrolytes accelerate cathode degradation (Dixit et al, 2017). Due to their high capacities and low cost rechargeable, lithium-sulfur batteries are the next most anticipated beyond Si/G||LNMC lithium ion cells (Ould Ely et al, 2018). Significant efforts are undertaken by the scientific community to pair the Li metal (3,860 mA h/g) anode, with high capacity sulfur 6 https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2017-lithium-battery-future/ cathode (1,675 mAhg −1 ).…”