Methods and Cost Estimation for the Synthesis of Nanosized Lithium Sulfide

Abstract

Lithium sulfide (Li2S) is an alternative cathode material for lithium‐sulfur batteries. It can mitigate the volume expansion problem encountered by the sulfur cathode, in addition, as a fully lithium‐inserted cathode, it can be paired with lithium‐free anodes or be assembled into anode‐free batteries. However, commercially available Li2S powder delivers poor electrochemical performances due to the significant potential barrier during the first charging process, and therefore developing inexpensive synthesis route for nanosized Li2S with small diameter and low charging overpotential becomes the key to the construction of practical Li2S cathode. Herein, the preparation methods for Li2S nanoparticles are summarized, including laboratory synthesis methods and potential large‐scale preparation routes; traditional industrial synthesis methods for commercially available Li2S are also attached as references. In particular, the scalability of these methods is mentioned, and the costs of the resulted Li2S products are also estimated and compared with the currently used cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries. In the end, the commercially worthwhile research pathways for Li2S synthesis as well as the perspective on the practical production of Li2S are discussed. Useful guidance for the selection of practical Li2S synthesis routes is also provided.

Lithium Sulfide: Magnesothermal Synthesis and Battery Applications

“…However, all necessary Li 2 S requires artificial synthesis, because Li 2 S is not available in nature, highly reactive with many chemicals, and extremely sensitive to moisture. Consequently, the commercially provided battery-grade Li 2 S (c-Li 2 S) is too expensive (>$5000/kg) to enable practical applications . Thus, the Li 2 S-production industry needs to be reformed.…”

Battery cost forecasting: a review of methods and results with an outlook to 2050

“…Solid electrolyte prices range from 10 to 100 $ kg À1 , potentially since their large-scale synthesis process and related precursors are to date not determined. [150][151][152] The required lithium excess varies from 50 to 300% between studies, influencing both energy density and cost. Further, lithium metal foil prices range from 100 to 1000 $ kg À1 , assuming an integration of the lithium metal foil during the cell production process.…”

Low-tortuous and dense single-particle-layer electrode for high-energy lithium-sulfur batteries

“…The lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery features a high theoretical energy density (B2300 W h kg À1 ) and a very low cost, making it one of the most cost-effective ($ per kW h) battery technologies for vehicle electrification and grid energy storage. [1][2][3][4] Development of a high-performance Li-S battery is plagued by the low electronic/ionic conductivities of S and Li 2 S, dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), electrolyte consumption, and Li corrosion. 5 To address these barriers, different strategies have been adopted to anchor soluble LiPSs generated during the electrochemical process and improve the associated cell cycling stability, including by using various carbon hosts, [6][7][8][9][10] polymer backbones, 11 or inorganic polar materials.…”