Mapping Techniques for the Design of Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

Mapping technique has been the powerful tool for the design of next‐generation energy storage devices. Unlike the traditional ion‐insertion based lithium batteries, the Li‐S battery is based on the complex conversion reactions, which require more cooperation from mapping techniques to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Therefore, in this review, the representative works of mapping techniques for Li‐S batteries are summarized, and categorized into the studies of lithium metal anode and sulfur cathode, with sub‐sections based on shared characterization mechanisms. Due to specific features of mapping techniques, various aspects such as compositional distribution, in‐plain/cross section characterization, coin cell/pouch cell configuration, and structural/mechanical analysis are emphasized in each study, aiming for the guidance for developing strategies to improve the battery performances. Benefited from the achieved progresses, suggestions for future studies based on mapping techniques are proposed to accelerate the development and commercialization of the Li‐S battery.

Atomic surface modification strategy ofMXenematerials forhigh‐performancemetal sulfur batteries

“…Recent reviews show that the multi-dimensional porous structure composed of MXene and other materials helps to solve the stacking and aggregation of MXene nanosheets, which provides outstanding capacitance and cycle stability. [104][105][106] Carbonaceous materials are most commonly used as host templates for MXene due to their high conductivity and porous structure. Bao et al synthesis the NMXene@MWCNT-MP to apply in the Na-S battery with a degradation rate of 0.062% after 500 cycles (Figure 6B).…”

First-row transition metal carbide nanosheets as high-performance cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries

“…[1][2][3] The high abundance and environmentally friendly nature of sulfur, with the involvement of multiple-electron-transfer electrochemistry (16Li + S 8 → 8Li 2 S) in a sulfur cathode that provides intrinsic protection from overcharging, suggest that Li-S batteries are more appealing than current LIBs. 4,5 Nevertheless, the commercialization of Li-S batteries is obstructed by several difficulties, such as the poor conductivity of sulfur (5 × 10 −30 S cm −1 at 25 °C) and the rigorous volume change of sulfur during lithiation and delithiation processes, leading to the pulverization of electrode materials. [6][7][8] Besides, the dissolution of lithium-polysulfides (Li 2 S n ) in the electrolyte results in a shuttle effect, and the deposition of Li 2 S n on the anode materials causes poor charge-discharge cycling performance, lower coulombic efficiency (CE) and fast capacity loss of Li-S batteries.…”

Sulfur–Carbon Electrode with PEO‐LiFSI‐PVDF Composite Coating for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

“…This includes the kinetics of the sulfur cathode, [ 4 ] doping of elements carbon or nitrogen, in suit coating with inorganic or organic materials on sulfur or adding an interlayer between the cathode and separator. [ 2b,5 ] Surface coating technology, as a common electrode treatment method, has the remarkable advantages such as strong universality, controllable processing cost, and easy process implementation. In particular, the modified coating layer constructed on the surface of cathode not only prevents electrode collapse caused by volume expansion, but also inhibits the dissolution and shuttle effect of polysulfide.…”