Future Market and Challenges of Lithium/Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) have dominated the portable electronic devices and electric vehicles (EVs) market. However, the need for higher energy densities and sustainable alternatives has led researchers to explore new battery technologies. Among these alternatives, lithium–sulfur batteries (Li–SBs) have emerged as a promising candidate due to their impressive theoretical energy density and abundance of raw materials. Theoretically, Li–S battery has a specific energy density 3–5 times higher than LiB. Li–SBs have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional LiBs due to their higher energy density, lower cost, and abundant raw material availability. However, several obstacles must be addressed to make Li–SBs feasible for real-world applications. The sulfur cathode faces challenges such as high-volume expansion, lower conductivity, and the movement of polysulfides (PS). This chapter focuses on the future market prospects and challenges associated with Li–SBs. Understanding the potential market applications and addressing the existing challenges in Li–S battery technology is crucial for advancing a sustainable energy storage ecosystem. This chapter explores the current state of Li–S battery research, the market outlook, as well as the technical and commercial challenges that need to be overcome to unlock the full potential of Li–SBs.