A Review on Minimization of Polysulfide Shuttle Effect of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries by Using Low-Dimensional Carbon Composite as the Sulfur Cathode

Abstract

Owing to the high specific energy density in theories, abundance of resources, and adherence to environmental standards, rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries (LSB) have drawn an increasing amount of interest. However, the weak conductivity of the sulfur and discharge products, the drastic breakdown and migration of the intermediates of lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) leading to shuttle effect, and the enormous volumetric change of sulfur particles upon cycle substantially hinder their practical uses. Due to the considerable capacity diminishing caused by the shuttle impact corrosion of the lithium metal, LSBs are thought to have significant commercial application challenges. Engineering nanomaterials’ surface structures can increase the affinity between the cathode with the LiPSs while also enabling the redox kinetics of the LiPSs, which results in a low level of LiPSs in the electrolyte that can restrict the shuttle effect. Sulfur and carbon materials, when combined, effectively increase the efficiency of active materials, increase the conductive properties of cathode components, and serve as a barrier against polysulfides. In this review, a thorough analysis is provided on low-dimensional carbon materials as cathode, by which the electrode modification technique for limiting the shuttle effect of polysulfide in LSBs and forecast future research trends on the same.