Research progress of safe organic electrolytes for lithium-sulfur batteries

doi:10.12028/j.issn.2095-4239.2018.0157

Abstract

Abstract: The long lifespan and high safety of lithium-ion battery (LIBs) greatly promote its applicability. Among various next generation energy storage devices, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted much attention due to their high theoretical energy density, high natural abundance and environment friendly nature of sulfur. However, due to the flammability of organic solvents in liquid electrolytes, the continuous formation of lithium dendrites and the low ignition temperature of carbon-sulfur mixtures, safety of Li-S batteries has become a critical issue for their practical application. In recent years, some strategies have been put forward to improve the safety of Li-S batteries. In this paper, we firstly introduced the evaluation methods of high-safety batteries. Then two kinds of sulfur composite cathodes for Li-S batteries and their suitable safe electrolytes are summarized. The safety of lithium-sulfur batteries for common sulfur-carbon composites are mainly improved by non-flashing hydrofluoroether solvents. While for sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (S@pPAN) composite, safety is mainly enhanced by phosphorus-based flame retardant additives in the standard electrolytes. Finally, the future development direction for safe Li-S batteries is prospected.

Key words: lithium sulfur batteries, safety, sulfur composite material, nonflammable electrolyte

CLC Number:

TM911

YANG Huijun, FU Jing, CHEN Jiahang, GUO Cheng, GUO Rui, XIE Jingying, WANG Jiulin. Research progress of safe organic electrolytes for lithium-sulfur batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2018, 7(6): 1060-1068.

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