Modulating affinity/repulsion levels for suppressing shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries

The demand for high energy density and reasonably priced energy storage devices is growing as long-distance vehicles evolve. Due to their high energy density, lithium‑sulfur batteries are one of the top contenders for next-generation energy storage systems. However, the shuttle effect brought on by solvent lithium polysulfides prevents the commercialization of the widely used lithium‑sulfur batteries utilizing ether electrolytes. The shuttle effect is brought on by the dissolution of lithium polysulfides in the electrolyte, diffusion, and parasitic reactions with the lithium metal anode. The shuttle effect can be successfully suppressed by inhibiting the aforementioned three processes. Modulating material-polysulfide interactions is a key strategy for suppressing the shuttle effect. Herein, the interactions between the materials and the lithium polysulfides are categorized here as affinity or repulsion interactions. We discuss in depth how these interactions catalyze polysulfide conversion, inhibit diffusion, and reduce solubility. The overall results and viewpoints on the methods and issues of affinity/repulsion interactions to counteract the shuttle effect is also presented.