Toward Practical Li–S Batteries: On the Road to a New Electrolyte

Abstract

The lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery system has attracted considerable attention due to its ultrahigh theoretical energy density and promising applications. However, with the increasing demands on S loading and electrolyte content, practical Li–S batteries still face several serious challenges, such as slow reaction kinetics at the cathode interface, unstable anode interface reactions, and undesirable crosstalk effects between the cathode and anode. Traditional electrolyte systems often struggle to address these challenges under practical conditions, thereby rendering it imperative to establish a new electrolyte system for practical Li–S batteries. This review first discusses the necessity of establishing a new electrolyte and propose specific parameter requirements, such as the electrolyte-to-sulfur mass ratio (E_m/S). Subsequently, some electrolyte modification strategies proposed by researchers are summarized to address the different challenges associated with practical Li–S batteries. Finally, the combination of different strategies is reviewed, aiming to reveal more effective design approaches that simultaneously address multiple challenges, while providing guidance for establishing a new balanced electrolyte for practical Li–S batteries. This article promotes the development of new electrolytes for practical Li–S batteries and can act as a reference for the development of electrolytes for other secondary batteries.