Journal of Energy Chemistry

Journal of Energy Chemistry ›› 2023, Vol. 80 ›› Issue (5): 625-657.DOI: 10.1016/j.jechem.2023.02.009

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Toward high-sulfur-content, high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries: Review of materials and technologies

Fulai Zhaoa,1,*, Jinhong Xueb,1, Wei Shaoc, Hui Yud, Wei Huangd, Jian Xiaoa,d,*   

  1. aSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
    bBasic Department, Jinci College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030025, Shanxi, China;
    cSchool of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang, China;
    dSchool of Physics and Electronic Information, Shangrao Normal University, Shangrao 334001, Jiangxi, China
  • Received:2022-12-09 Revised:2023-01-15 Accepted:2023-02-02 Online:2023-05-15 Published:2023-05-29
  • Contact: * E-mail addresses: jayfly@tju.edu.cn (F. Zhao), 306204@sru.edu.cn (J. Xiao).
  • About author:1 These authors contributed equally to this work.
    Fulai Zhao obtained his doctoral degree in materials science from Tianjin University, China in 2020. He is now an assistant research fellow at School of Materials Science and Engineering of Tianjin University. His research interests include synthesis of 2D nanomateri-als and preparation and performance research of novel nanocomposite materials.
    Jinhong Xue obtained her master degree in physiology from Shanxi Medical University, China in 2017. She was appointed as an assistant in Pathology at Jinci College of Shanxi Medical University since 2018. Her research interests include biomedical materials and biomaterials.
    Wei Shao obtained his Ph.D. degree in pharmaceutics from the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University in 2020. He is now a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Engineering, Westlake University. His research interests are the design and synthesis of con-jugated small molecules (polymers) for phototheranos-tics and organic electronics.
    Hui Yu is currently studying for a bachelor's degree in physics at Shangrao Normal University. Her main research interest is physics.
    Wei Huang is currently studying physics at Shangrao Normal University, pursuing a bachelor's degree. Her main research direction is physics.
    Jian Xiao is currently an associate professor in School of Physics and Electronic Information, Shangrao Normal University, China. He received his Ph.D. from Tianjin University, China in 2019. His research interests include the biomaterial and design and synthesis of nanostruc-tures and their application in Li-ion/Li-S batteries.

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Abstract: Lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs) are recognized as promising devices for developing next-generation energy storage systems. In addition, they are attractive rechargeable battery systems for replacing lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for commercial use owing to their higher theoretical energy density and lower cost compared to those of LIBs. However, LSBs are still beset with some persistent issues that pre-vent them from being used industrially, such as the unavoidable dissolution of lithium polysulfide inter-mediates during electrochemical reactions and large volume expansion (up to 80%) upon the formation of Li2S, resulting in serious battery life and safety limitations. In the process of solving these problems, it is necessary to maintain a high sulfur content in the cathode materials to ensure that the LSBs have high energy densities and excellent cycle performance. In this review, the novel preparation methods and cathode materials used for preparing LSBs in recent years are reviewed considering the sulfur content and cycle performance. In addition, the problems and difficulties in practically applying cathode materi-als are described, and the development trend is discussed.

Key words: Lithium sulfur batteries, Cathode material, High sulfur content, Cycle performance