Conducting Polymers Meet Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives

Abstract

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted increased interest because of the high theoretical energy density, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Conducting polymers (CPs), as one of the most promising materials used in Li–S batteries, can not only facilitate electron transfer and buffer the large volumetric change of sulfur benefiting from their porous structure and excellent flexibility, but also enable stronger physical/chemical adsorption capacity toward polysulfides (LiPSs) when doped with abundant heteroatoms to promote the sulfur redox kinetics and achieve the high sulfur loading. This review firstly introduces the properties of various CPs including structural CPs (polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANi), polyethylene dioxothiophene [PEDOT]) and compound CPs (polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) [PAA]), and their application potential in Li–S batteries. Furthermore, the research progress of various CPs in different components (cathode, separator, and interlayer) of Li–S batteries is systematically summarized. Finally, the application perspective of the CPs in Li–S batteries as a potential guidance is comprehensively discussed.

A 3D-printed Al metal–organic framework/S cathode with efficient adsorption and redox conversion of polysulfides in lithium–sulfur batteries

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] However, Li-S batteries still suffer from low conductivity, polysulde shuttling, limited reaction kinetics, huge electrode expansion, and side reaction. [10][11][12][13][14][15] To address these issues, many functional materials, such as carbonous materials, [16][17][18] conductive polymers, 19,20 metal carbides, 21,22 and metal compounds, [23][24][25] have been utilized as sulfur hosts in the cathodes of Li-S batteries.…”

Bidirectional Catalyst with Robust Lithiophilicity and Sulfiphilicity for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Battery

“…It has been thought to be one of the most promising candidates for nextgeneration energy storage systems. [6,7] However, practical applications of LSBs are still limited by many problematic issues, mainly containing insulating nature of the sulfur and Li 2 S, low DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202302267 columbic efficiency and short cycle life originating from the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) intermediaries and the sluggish sulfur redox kinetics. [8][9][10][11][12] Conceiving a functional host material with the strong chemical bonding to the LiPSs, favorable electric conductivity and fast conversion ability of sulfur is essential for lithium-sulfur battery with long-term cycling and high efficiency.…”

Hydrovoltaic Effect Coupling with Capacitor Amplification: A Mode for Sensitive Self-Powered Electrochemical Sensing

“…Titanium carbide (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) MXene, which is the most researched family of two-dimensional layered transition metal carbides, has sparked widespread interest in a variety of fields, particularly energy storage, catalysis, and sensing. − MXenes possess several superior properties, including excellent metallic conductivity, hydrophilicity, large interlayer spacing, and surface area. − However, single carbon-based nanomaterial used to generate electricity through water evaporation still produces a relatively low short circuit current. Due to the high electrical conductivity, high flexibility, and porous structure, the conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI) has been introduced in an effort to increase energy outputs . Thus, the incorporation of the polyaniline further improved energy transformation efficiency while maintaining the Ti 3 C 2 T x electrical network, thereby enhancing the performance of the sensor …”

“…Due to the high electrical conductivity, high flexibility, and porous structure, the conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI) has been introduced in an effort to increase energy outputs. 22 Thus, the incorporation of the polyaniline further improved energy transformation efficiency while maintaining the Ti 3 C 2 T x electrical network, thereby enhancing the performance of the sensor. 23 Herein, Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes were used as an active material for hydrovoltaic cell sensor (HVC sensor) to cooperate with conductive polymer polyaniline.…”