Rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries.

With the increasing demand for efficient and economic energy storage, Li-S batteries have become attractive candidates for the next-generation high-energy rechargeable Li batteries because of their high theoretical energy density and cost effectiveness. Starting from a brief history of Li-S batteries, this Review introduces the electrochemistry of Li-S batteries, and discusses issues resulting from the electrochemistry, such as the electroactivity and the polysulfide dissolution. To address these critical issues, recent advances in Li-S batteries are summarized, including the S cathode, Li anode, electrolyte, and new designs of Li-S batteries with a metallic Li-free anode. Constructing S molecules confined in the conductive microporous carbon materials to improve the cyclability of Li-S batteries serves as a prospective strategy for the industry in the future.

Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: Electrochemistry, Materials, and Prospects

Development of advanced energy-storage systems for portable devices, electric vehicles, and grid storage must fulfill several requirements: low-cost, long life, acceptable safety, high energy, high power, and environmental benignity. With these requirements, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries promise great potential to be the next-generation high-energy system. However, the practicality of Li-S technology is hindered by technical obstacles, such as short shelf and cycle life and low sulfur content/loading, arising from the shuttling of polysulfide intermediates between the cathode and anode and the poor electronic conductivity of S and the discharge product Li2 S. Much progress has been made during the past five years to circumvent these problems by employing sulfur-carbon or sulfur-polymer composite cathodes, novel cell configurations, and lithium-metal anode stabilization. This Progress Report highlights recent developments with special attention toward innovation in sulfur-encapsulation techniques, development of novel materials, and cell-component design. The scientific understanding and engineering concerns are discussed at the end in every developmental stage. The critical research directions needed and the remaining challenges to be addressed are summarized in the Conclusion.

Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: Progress and Prospects

Li(metal)-sulfur (Li-S) systems are among the rechargeable batteries of the highest possible energy density due to the high capacity of both electrodes. The surface chemistry developed on Li electrodes in electrolyte solutions for Li-S batteries was rigorously studied using Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. A special methodology was developed for handling the highly reactive Li samples. It was possible to analyze the contribution of solvents such as 1-3 dioxolane, the electrolyte LiN(SO 2 CF 3 ) 2 , polysulfide (Li 2 S n ), and LiNO 3 additives to protective surface films that are formed on the Li electrodes. The role of LiNO 3 as a critical component whose presence in solutions prevents a shuttle mechanism that limits the capacity of the sulfur electrodes is discussed and explained herein.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1.3148721/pdf

On the Surface Chemical Aspects of Very High Energy Density, Rechargeable Li–Sulfur Batteries

http://ma.ecsdl.org/content/MA2010-03/1/690.full.pdf

Jekyoung Lee

Papers

Self-discharge of lithium-sulfur cells using stainless-steel current-collectors

Study on CO2 – water printed circuit heat exchanger performance operating under various CO₂ phases for S-CO₂ power cycle application

Design consideration of supercritical CO2 power cycle integral experiment loop

Preliminary studies of compact Brayton cycle performance for Small Modular High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor system

Various supercritical carbon dioxide cycle layouts study for molten carbonate fuel cell application