Abstract:Aluminum‐sulfur (Al−S) chemistry is attractive for the development of next‐generation rechargeable battery systems. However, only a few reversible Al−S cells have been reported until now. This paper demonstrates that the use of an AlCl3/urea electrolyte in Al−S cells is a promising approach to improve the cycle life and reach a high discharge voltage plateau of ∼1.6–2.0 V. In contrast to the instability of sulfur in the conventional AlCl3/EMIC electrolyte, sulfur is chemically stable in the AlCl3/urea electrol… Show more
“…[ 66 ] With a lithium‐ion mediation strategy, reversible Ca‐S cells have been demonstrated recently. [ 20 ] After the success in operating these reversible batteries, mechanistic studies on Mg‐S, [ 67 ] Al‐S, [ 68 ] and Ca‐S [ 20 ] cell systems have been executed. Figure summarizes the electrochemical characteristics of the Mg‐S, Al‐S, and Ca‐S cells in terms of their charge‐discharge behavior and CV performance.…”
Section: Principle and Mechanisms Of Metal–sulfur Chemistriesmentioning
Nonaqueous conversion-reaction sulfur chemistry has been attracting increasing attention over the past decade for the development of nextgeneration lithium-based batteries. Li-S batteries are currently approaching a nexus stage from lab-scale experiments to possible pragmatic applications. Inspired by the success of Li-S chemistry, other metal-sulfur batteries with a variety of metallic anodes, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum, have also started to attract attention. In comparison to lithium, Na, Mg, Al, K, and Ca are naturally more abundant and affordable.
“…[ 66 ] With a lithium‐ion mediation strategy, reversible Ca‐S cells have been demonstrated recently. [ 20 ] After the success in operating these reversible batteries, mechanistic studies on Mg‐S, [ 67 ] Al‐S, [ 68 ] and Ca‐S [ 20 ] cell systems have been executed. Figure summarizes the electrochemical characteristics of the Mg‐S, Al‐S, and Ca‐S cells in terms of their charge‐discharge behavior and CV performance.…”
Section: Principle and Mechanisms Of Metal–sulfur Chemistriesmentioning
Nonaqueous conversion-reaction sulfur chemistry has been attracting increasing attention over the past decade for the development of nextgeneration lithium-based batteries. Li-S batteries are currently approaching a nexus stage from lab-scale experiments to possible pragmatic applications. Inspired by the success of Li-S chemistry, other metal-sulfur batteries with a variety of metallic anodes, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum, have also started to attract attention. In comparison to lithium, Na, Mg, Al, K, and Ca are naturally more abundant and affordable.
“…The energy storage mechanism for all metal-sulfur batteries follows a conversion type mechanism [13,[150][151][152][153][154]. A simple version of this reaction occurs for lithium, sodium and magnesium [151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166].…”
We discuss the latest developments in alternative battery systems based on sodium, magnesium, zinc and aluminum. In each case, we categorize the individual metals by the overarching cathode material type, focusing on the energy storage mechanism. Specifically, sodium-ion batteries are the closest in technology and chemistry to today’s lithium-ion batteries. This lowers the technology transition barrier in the short term, but their low specific capacity creates a long-term problem. The lower reactivity of magnesium makes pure Mg metal anodes much safer than alkali ones. However, these are still reactive enough to be deactivated over time. Alloying magnesium with different metals can solve this problem. Combining this with different cathodes gives good specific capacities, but with a lower voltage (<1.3 V, compared with 3.8 V for Li-ion batteries). Zinc has the lowest theoretical specific capacity, but zinc metal anodes are so stable that they can be used without alterations. This results in comparable capacities to the other materials and can be immediately used in systems where weight is not a problem. Theoretically, aluminum is the most promising alternative, with its high specific capacity thanks to its three-electron redox reaction. However, the trade-off between stability and specific capacity is a problem. After analyzing each option separately, we compare them all via a political, economic, socio-cultural and technological (PEST) analysis. The review concludes with recommendations for future applications in the mobile and stationary power sectors.
“…Both Li 2 S and Al 2 S 3 were identified in the discharged cathode. Furthermore, Bian et al reported a record long‐life Al–S battery by using AlCl 3 /urea electrolyte ( Figure ) . Compared with the higher reactivity of sulfur species and the conventional AlCl 3 /EMICl electrolyte, the AlCl 3 /urea electrolyte and sulfur species coexisted stably.…”
Section: Electrolyte Design For Metal–sulfur Batteriesmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Schematic of an Al–S cell with the electrolyte of AlCl 3 /urea. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2018, Wiley‐VCH.…”
Section: Electrolyte Design For Metal–sulfur Batteriesmentioning
Metal–sulfur batteries with sulfur cathodes and light‐weight metal anodes are promising next‐generation energy‐storage systems for their high specific capacities, high energy densities, high abundance, and potentially low cost of the electroactive materials. In the development of various metal–sulfur batteries, the electrolyte plays a central role. The electrolyte significantly affects the capacity, cycling performance, safety, and rate capability. This article reviews the recent development of the electrolyte technology applied in nonlithium metal–sulfur batteries of Na–S, K–S, Mg–S, and Al–S, in comparison with the Li–S battery electrolytes. The evolution of the electrolyte technology and how it propels the advancement of the rechargeable metal–sulfur batteries are highlighted. Finally, several considerations are given for evaluating the nonlithium metal–sulfur battery electrolytes from a practical point of view.
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