Recent Advances and Strategies toward Polysulfides Shuttle Inhibition for High‐Performance Li–S Batteries

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are regarded as the most promising next‐generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density and cost‐effectiveness. However, their practical applications are seriously hindered by several inevitable drawbacks, especially the shuttle effects of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) which lead to rapid capacity decay and short cycling lifespan. This review specifically concentrates on the shuttle path of LiPSs and their interaction with the corresponding cell components along the moving way, systematically retrospect the recent advances and strategies toward polysulfides diffusion suppression. Overall, the strategies for the shuttle effect inhibition can be classified into four parts, including capturing the LiPSs in the sulfur cathode, reducing the dissolution in electrolytes, blocking the shuttle channels by functional separators, and preventing the chemical reaction between LiPSs and Li metal anode. Herein, the fundamental aspect of Li–S batteries is introduced first to give an in‐deep understanding of the generation and shuttle effect of LiPSs. Then, the corresponding strategies toward LiPSs shuttle inhibition along the diffusion path are discussed step by step. Finally, general conclusions and perspectives for future research on shuttle issues and practical application of Li–S batteries are proposed.

Modern practices in electrophoretic deposition to manufacture energy storage electrodes

“…The major challenge to be overcome to commericialise lithium-sulphur battery is that known as 'polysulfide shuttling', whereby ions such as Li2S4 migrate to, and poison, the anode, leading to rapid capacity loss. 182 A unique application of EPD has been demonstrated to overcome this challenge. Blanga et al reported the formation of a polysulfide barrier through EPD.…”

Adjustable Mixed Conductive Interphase for Dendrite-Free Lithium Metal Batteries

“…Lithium (Li) metal possessing a high specific capacity of 3860 mAh g –1 and a low redox potential of −3.04 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode is regarded as the main choice of anode materials in next-generation Li-based batteries, such as Li–S and Li–O 2 batteries . However, safety hazards and severe capacity fading caused by Li dendritic growth have hindered their practical application for almost half a century .…”

“…Lithium (Li) metal possessing a high specific capacity of 3860 mAh g −1 and a low redox potential of −3.04 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode is regarded as the main choice of anode materials in next-generation Li-based batteries, such as Li−S and Li−O 2 batteries. 1 However, safety hazards and severe capacity fading caused by Li dendritic growth have hindered their practical application for almost half a century. 2 The uniform Li + ion transportation and mechanical stability of a solid−electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer are the preconditions of dendrite-free Li deposition; 3 however, a conventional in situ formed SEI layer with inhomogeneous structure and composition makes Li + ion flux nonuniform and causes the current density to aggregate on the surface of the anode locally.…”

A bifunctional VS2–Ti3C2 heterostructure electrocatalyst for boosting polysulfide redox in high performance lithium–sulfur batteries

“…1,2 However, some obstacles seriously hinder the implementation of LSBs, including the low intrinsic electrical conductivity of sulfur and lithium sulde (Li 2 S/Li 2 S 2 ), the undesirable shuttling of soluble intermediate LiPSs between the cathode and anode and a volume expansion of about 80%. These issues result in slow redox kinetics, limited sulfur utilization, irreversible Li anode corrosion and low coulombic efficiency 3,4 and poor cycle stability. [5][6][7] Therefore, developing various catalysts, including metal oxides, 8 suldes, 9 carbides, 10 nitrides and phosphides, 11,12 to anchor LiPSs and accelerate the redox reaction kinetics is the key to realize desirable application of LSBs.…”