Lithium-sulfur batteries (Li-S) may finally be recognized as a practical alternative to the standard lithium-ion batteries, following the research conducted by Kameron Liao and Arumugam Manthiram.

With sulfur’s high specific capacity of 1,672 mAh g-1, abundance, and low cost, Li-S batteries would have been the perfect substitute. However, these batteries tend to have poor cycle life, coupled with degraded performance even under normal conditions. 

In the study published in Advanced Energy, the researchers demonstrated how optimizing the cathode microstructure can enhance the battery efficiency and performance of lithium-sulfur batteries, making these batteries commercially viable.

Instead of traditional mixing methods, Liao and Manthiram used the spray-drying process and produced spherical ketjenblack/sulfur (SD-KB/s), which has uniform particles and enhanced structural integrity. These sulfur composites show improved mechanical stability and cycling reliability, in addition to less cracking and better pore filling.

They also performed several techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, BET analysis, and conductive atomic force microscopy, to examine SD-KB/s. They discovered that these sulfur composites are free from sulfur agglomeration that plagued conventional KB/sulfur composites.

To optimize the cathode microstructure, Liao and Manthiram conducted a series of electrochemical evaluations and structural analyses. They also performed rheological studies, GITT and EIS analysis, and even relied on operando X-ray diffraction, ensuring that enhancements made on the cathode microstructure have a significant effect on the viability of lithium-sulfur batteries.

Through this study, they highlighted how cathode microstructure influences sulfur redox kinetics and overall performance in Li-S batteries. They also presented an approach that can make these batteries truly a promising alternative to lithium-ion ones.

Read the full article here to learn more about the cathode microstructure optimization in lithium-sulfur batteries.

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