Understanding Rate and Capacity Limitations in Li-S Batteries Based on Solid-State Sulfur Conversion in Confinement.

Li-S batteries with an improved cycle life of over 1000 cycles have been achieved using cathodes of sulfur-infiltrated nanoporous carbon with carbonate-based electrolytes. In these cells, a protective cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) is formed, leading to solid-state conversion of S to LiS in the nanopores. This prevents the dissolution of polysulfides and slows capacity fade.

Sepiolite as a novel polysulfide trapper for energy applications: an electrochemical, X-ray spectroscopic and DFT study.

Capacity retention is a critical property to enhance in electrochemical storage systems applied to renewable energy. In lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, the capacity fade resulting from the shuttle effect of polysulfides is a major obstacle to their practical application. Sepiolite, an eco-friendly earth-abundant clay with suitable surface chemistry for anchoring and retaining various molecules and structures, was studied as a cathode additive to mitigate the shuttle effect using experimental and theoretical approaches.