Recent Breakthroughs in the Bottleneck of Cathode Materials for Li–S Batteries

Abstract

The advantages of high theoretical specific capacity, low cost, and convenient processing of lithium–sulfur batteries (Li–S batteries) have promoted a new direction for the development of the battery industry and greatly increased the upper limit of application of energy storage materials. However, the volume expansion, shuttle effect, and weak conductivity of sulfur inhibit the development prospect of Li–S batteries. Herein, the latest research developments of sulfur composite cathode materials in Li–S batteries are reviewed, including but not limited to carbon-based materials, metal and metal compound materials, metal–organic frameworks and derivatives, and conductive polymers. The electrochemical performance of Li–S batteries can be greatly improved through modifying sulfur composite cathodes based on the characteristics of composite materials and the bottleneck of Li–S batteries. In addition, the modification and application of the existing anode materials of Li–S batteries are summarized, which provides the possibility to promote the further development of Li–S batteries.

Polyaniline-Coated Porous Vanadium Nitride Microrods for Enhanced Performance of a Lithium–Sulfur Battery

“…To anchor lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), many sulfur hosts such as metal oxides/suldes/nitrides have been developed in recent years [ 6 , 7 ]. Among these sulfur hosts, polar materials including vanadium nitride (VN) [ 8 ], titanium nitride (TiN) [ 9 ], cobalt nitride (Co 4 N) [ 10 ], and other transition metal nitrides are excellent sulfur hosts because they can inhibit the diffusion of polysulfides through forming S-M-N bonds, improving the cycling stability [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Review of metal oxides as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

“…[1][2][3] Sustainable green energy such as wind, solar and tidal power has been applied in various fields, effectively alleviating the environmental crisis. 4 However, due to the instability of the environment and climate, various energy storage technologies need to be developed. [5][6][7] In particular, LIBs are widely used in various fields of daily life due to their characteristics of light weight, high energy density and good recyclability.…”

A freestanding nitrogen-doped MXene/graphene cathode for high-performance Li–S batteries

“…2,3 As by-products in the petroleum industry, elemental sulfur has attracted wide attention because of its low cost, non-toxicity and high theoretical capacity. 4 However, there are still several challenges for Li–S batteries, combined with issues originating from the lithium anode, and the as-caused polysulfide shuttling, low sulfur utilization, and short circle life lead to difficulties in commercializing Li–S batteries. 5…”

“…2,3 As byproducts in the petroleum industry, elemental sulfur has attracted wide attention because of its low cost, non-toxicity and high theoretical capacity. 4 However, there are still several challenges for Li-S batteries, combined with issues originating from the lithium anode, and the as-caused polysulde shuttling, low sulfur utilization, and short circle life lead to difficulties in commercializing Li-S batteries. 5 To address these cathodic problems, an effective freestanding strategy that can directly immobilize sulfur in carbon hosts without using the polymer additives and metallic collector has been proposed recently.…”