Ping Liu

Unlike elemental sulfur, SPAN has been shown to be a highly stable cathode in Li-S batteries, largely free of the polysulfide dissolution phenomenon associated with elemental sulfur chemistry. Recent effort has focused on identifying electrolytes that can maintain this advantage while enabling stable cycling of the lithium metal anode. In this regard, localized high concentration electrolytes have generated desirable solid electrolyte interphases on both Li and SPAN. Realizing a practical Li-SPAN cell with energy density of > 300 Wh/kg requires an increase in SPAN capacity and areal loading. Introducing additional short chain sulfur into the SPAN matrix has shown promise to raise specific capacity. On the other hand, cycling of high areal loading SPAN is largely limited by the stability of Li anode. Electrolyte engineering, surface protection, and lithium anode structural engineering are being pursed simultaneously to enable stable cycling of Li under these demanding conditions.