Anode Materials for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Abstract

In order to demonstrate the advantages of high specific capacity of lithium-sulfur batteries, lithium metal anode with low potential and high energy density is considered to be the best choice for lithium-sulfur batteries. However, the lithium metal with strong reducibility will inevitably react with other components in the battery to cause capacity degradation, and the growth of lithium dendrites will also cause short circuits and thermal runaway. These problems seriously hinder its application in lithium-sulfur batteries. A large number of studies have confirmed that the lithium-sulfur battery is a device as a whole, and the research on it should not only consider the sulfur cathode but ignore the anode. In the research of lithium metal electrodes, various strategies based on electrolytes, current collectors, separators, SEIs, and anode alternative materials have been proposed, and effective results and progress have been made. But there is still much to be done before the application of lithium-sulfur batteries. This chapter will introduce the problems and challenges faced by lithium metal anodes in lithium-sulfur batteries and summarize possible solutions.