Carbon Materials for Lithium Sulfur Batteries—Ten Critical Questions. Issue 22 (22nd March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borchardt, Lars; Oschatz, Martin; Kaskel, Stefan
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 22:Issue 22(2016)
• Page Start: 7324
• Page End: 7351
• Publication Date: 2016-03-22
• Subjects: batteries -- lithium -- secondary battery -- shuttle mechanism -- sulfur; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201600040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

Abstract: Lithium–sulfur batteries are among the most promising electrochemical energy storage devices of the near future. Especially the low price and abundant availability of sulfur as the cathode material and the high theoretical capacity in comparison to state‐of‐the art lithium‐ion technologies are attractive features. Despite significant research achievements that have been made over the last years, fundamental (electro‐) chemical questions still remain unanswered. This review addresses ten crucial questions associated with lithium–sulfur batteries and critically evaluates current research with respect to them. The sulfur–carbon composite cathode is a particular focus, but its complex interplay with other hardware components in the cell, such as the electrolyte and the anode, necessitates a critical discussion of other cell components. Modern in situ characterisation methods are ideally suited to illuminate the role of each component. This article does not pretend to summarise all recently published data, but instead is a critical overview over lithium–sulfur batteries based on recent research findings. Abstract : Promising storage : This review addresses ten crucial questions associated with lithium–sulfur batteries and critically evaluates current research with respect to them. The sulfur–carbon composite cathode is in the particular focus, but its complex interplay with other hardware components, such as the electrolyte and the anode, necessitates a critical discussion as well.