Lithium–Sulfur Batteries: From Lab to Industry and Safety

Maximizing the loading amount of sulfur and its utilization is the key to the commercial development of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. It has been a huge challenge to achieve such practical conditions of lithium–sulfur batteries without compromising the electrochemical stability and performance. Over the past decades, there have been tremendous progress to overcome the intrinsic issues of Li–S batteries. Particularly, a wide variety of electrode materials with different architectural features has played a critical role in improving the performance of Li–S batteries by accommodating the volume expansion of sulfur, entrapping active materials in cathodes, providing electrical/ionic pathways, and safely enhancing the lithium polysulfide conversion kinetics. Thus, the goal of this chapter is to deliver a concise overview of how the high energy density of Li–S batteries can be realized in practical scenario; indeed, architectural modifications to the electrode materials and polysulfide electro-catalyzation have has become the key in enhancing the practical limits of Li–S technology. Recent literatures show a significant disparity between the research achievements and the requirements for real-world applications. In an effort to close this gap so that readers could stay up-to-date on the eventual commercialization of Li–S batteries, this chapter highlights the advance design of electrode materials that are tuned for improved sulfur loading, enhanced reaction kinetics, and extended cycling performance. This chapter also provides a direction to guide the future development of Li–S batteries so that they could enter the market of high energy density and safe rechargeable storage system.