Rechargeable Metal-Sulfur Batteries: Key Materials to Mechanisms

Abstract

Rechargeable metal-sulfur batteries are considered promising candidates for energy storage due to their high energy density along with high natural abundance and low cost of raw materials. However, they could not yet be practically implemented due to several key challenges: (i) poor conductivity of sulfur and the discharge product metal sulfide, causing sluggish redox kinetics, (ii) polysulfide shuttling, and (iii) parasitic side reactions between the electrolyte and the metal anode. To overcome these obstacles, numerous strategies have been explored, including modifications to the cathode, anode, electrolyte, and binder. In this review, the fundamental principles and challenges of metal-sulfur batteries are first discussed. Second, the latest research on metal-sulfur batteries is presented and discussed, covering their material design, synthesis methods, and electrochemical performances. Third, emerging advanced characterization techniques that reveal the working mechanisms of metal-sulfur batteries are highlighted. Finally, the possible future research directions for the practical applications of metal-sulfur batteries are discussed. This comprehensive review aims to provide experimental strategies and theoretical guidance for designing and understanding the intricacies of metal-sulfur batteries; thus, it can illuminate promising pathways for progressing high-energy-density metal-sulfur battery systems.

Carbonaceous Sulfur Host for Cathodes in Room-Temperature Metal–Sulfur Batteries

“…Theoretical calculations can describe the interactions between charge carriers, polar functional groups, and polysulfides from an energy perspective in the face of modification methods for the carbonaceous sulfur host such as heteroatom doping, heterostructures, and loading of catalytic active sites. Furthermore, it can also assist in establishing models that predict the electrochemical performance of materials and screen suitable sulfur cathode materials to construct high-energy M-S batteries …”

Perspectives on Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries for Electric Vehicles and Grid-Scale Energy Storage

“…The conventional sulfur powder has once again been intensively investigated since 2009 (i.e., Nazar’s group’s work on mesoporous carbon/PEG composite framework-hosted sublimed sulfur [ 27 ]), experiencing a renaissance and having made great progress toward practical applications [ 3 ]. Carbon materials (including porous carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, with additional regulatory roles in the lithium storage behavior of electroactive materials and/or the construction of crack-free electrodes, and increasing the range of applications of LSBs [ 28 , 29 ]), as well as conductive polymers, are traditional hosts for sulfur cathode materials.…”

“…Compared with Li-ion batteries (LIBs), Li–S batteries (LSBs) have distinct advantages and also present unique challenges. These major advantages include unprecedented energy density (2600 Wh kg −1 and 2800 Wh L −1 for sulfur cathodes [ 2 ]), lightweight efficiency, lower cost, environmental friendliness, and safety, as well as comparatively quick charging capability, cycle life, coulombic efficiency (CE), and self-discharge with the significant progress in recent years, thus setting the stage for a new revolution in the world of electric vehicles and grid energy storage (the main features, advantages/challenges, and development milestones of LSBs are schematically presented in Figure 1 ) [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. In addition to their great potential commercial applications in EVs, LSBs are also among the most promising electrical energy storage systems for large-scale grid storage, which could more easily regulate supply and demand by decoupling electricity generation and loads, as well as improving the grid security by distributed storage.…”

Boosting Energy Storage in Metal Batteries by Light: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives

“…Li-ion batteries have dominated the battery market to date since their commercialization in 1991 . In an attempt to further achieve an energy density target of ∼350 Wh kg –1 , an up to 17% increase in energy density relative to conventional battery designs, high-voltage nickel cathodes have been developed and coupled with silicon/carbon hybrid anodes for the assembly of batteries . However, the optimized Li-ion batteries are still unable to fully satisfy the demands on the high energy density for further highly energy intensive applications.…”