Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2024, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (1): 36-47.doi: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2023.0327

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Electrolyte multifunctional additives of lithium-sulfur battery: Mechanism of action and advanced characterization

Mingxun JIA1,2,3,4(), Tong WU1,2,3,4(), Daotong YANG1,2,3,4, Xiaoxi QIN1,2,3,4, Jinghai LIU1,2,3,4, Limei DUAN1,2,3,4()   

  1. 1.College of Chemistry and Materials, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities
    2.Institute of Nano-Innovation, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities
    3.Key Laboratory of Nano-Carbon Materials, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
    4.Engineering Research Center for Lithium-Sulfur Battery Energy Storage, Tongliao 028000, Inner Mongolia, China
  • Received:2023-05-09 Revised:2023-05-23 Online:2024-01-05 Published:2024-01-22
  • Contact: Tong WU, Limei DUAN E-mail:584111659@qq.com;wutong932@163.com;duanlmxie@126.com

Abstract:

The lithium-sulfur battery, heralded as a promising clean energy storage device, boasts high theoretical specific capacity and environmental friendliness, making them a focal point in energy storage research. However, challenges such as slow kinetics in redox reactions and the shuttle effect of long-chain lithium polysulfides significantly impact the battery life. The electrolyte, which plays a pivotal role in ion and electron transfer during charge and discharge, is a critical component of the lithium-sulfur battery. Recent advancements in lithium-sulfur batteries have highlighted the significance of multifunctional electrolyte additives. The incorporation of additives into the electrolyte has proven instrumental in catalyzing lithium polysulfide conversion reactions, safeguarding metal lithium, and regulating the interface. This article provides a comprehensive review of strategies employed to enhance reaction kinetics and inhibit the shuttle effect by using electrolyte additives, drawing upon the recent literature. Specifically, this article focuses on key additives, including inorganic co-salts, organic sulfur, organic fluorine, and organic selenium/tellurium. The discussion delves into the mechanisms by which these additives regulate polysulfides. To gain a deeper understanding of the internal workings of the battery, this article introduces various in-situ characterization instruments known for their real-time precision in lithium-sulfur batteries. The research progress of multifunctional additives for lithium-sulfur battery electrolytes undergoes a comprehensive analysis, elucidating the mechanism of action for different additive types. The article underscores the guiding role of in-situ characterization technology in revealing catalytic mechanisms and designing functional additives. In addition, it offers a prospective outlook on the future development directions of electrolyte additives for lithium-sulfur batteries.

Key words: lithium-sulfur battery, electrolyte additives, polysulfides, mechanism of action, in-situ characterization technology

CLC Number: