Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Metal oxide/carbon composites enhance chemical adsorption of lithium polysulfides, mitigating the shuttle effect in Li-S batteries. • Synthesis methods (ex-situ and in-situ) and dimensional control (1D to 3D) of TMO/CM composites are critical for performance. • Structural modulation strategies such as heterostructure design, vacancy engineering, and facet manipulation improve catalytic activity and cycling stability. • TMO/CM composites offer a promising pathway to overcome the insulating nature of sulfur and Li2S, boosting sulfur utilization and battery lifespan.
Abstract
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are among the most promising next-generation electrochemical energy-storage systems due to their exceptional theoretical specific capacity, inexpensive production cost and environmental friendliness. However, the poor conductivity of S and Li2S, severe lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling and the sluggish redox kinetics of the phase transformation greatly hinder their commercialization. Carbonaceous materials could be potentially useful in Li-S batteries to tackle these problems with their high specific surface area to host LiPSs and sulfur and excellent electrical conductivity to increase electron transfer rate. However, non-polar carbon materials are unable to interact closely with the highly polar polysulfides, resulting in a low sulfur utilization and a serious shuttle effect. Because of their advantages of strong polarity and a large number of adsorption sites, integrating transition metal oxides (TMOs) with carbon-based materials (CMs) increases the chemical adsorption of LiPSs and electrochemical reaction activity for LiPSs. The working principles and main challenges of Li-S batteries are discussed followed by a review of recent research on the ex-situ and in-situ synthesis of TMO/CM composites. The formation of TMO/CMs with the dimensionalities of CMs from 1D to 3D are then reviewed together with ways of changing their structure, including heterostructure design, vacancy engineering and facet manipulation. Finally, the outlook for using TMO/CMs in Li-S batteries is considered.
1. Introduction
To alleviate the increasingly serious pollution caused by fossil fuels and cope with the rising demand for energy sources, the need for developing novel energy-storage systems has become more urgent than ever. Traditional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely applied in various fields such as daily transportation, routine work and social communication. However, lithium iron phosphate and ternary polymer commonly used in commercial LIBs have gradually approached their upper theoretical capacity [1]. Therefore, as the requirement for electrochemical energy storage devices continues to increase, LIBs are finding it increasingly difficult to satisfy the practical demands due to their relatively low energy density.
Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries are established as one of the most promising candidates in the next-generation energy-storage systems due to merits of abundant natural reserves of sulfur, higher theory capacity (1 675 mAh g−1) and longer cycling life compared with commercial LIBs [2]. Therefore, Li-S batteries have received considerable attention in the past few decades. However, numerous serious problems remain to be solved, such as the poor conductivity of S and Li2S, severe shuttle effect of LiPSs intermediates, huge volume change of the electrode during the charge and discharge process, which greatly diminish the achievable capacity performance and lifespan of Li-S batteries.
Carbon-based materials (CM), such as carbon nanospheres, carbon nanotubes and graphene, are the most excellent conductive substrates widely used in the design and synthesis of Li-S batteries cathode composites or modified separators because of their structural diversity, large specific surface area and outstanding electrical conductivity. Well-designed porous structure and superb electron/ion transport channels provided by CM can effectively e...
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ZHOU Zhi-qiang, WANG Hui-min, YANG Lu-bin, MA Cheng, WANG Ji-tong, QIAO Wen-ming, LING Li-cheng (2025). A review of the use of metal oxide/carbon composite materials to inhibit the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur batteries. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(NCM2024-39-02-02)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur batteries?
The shuttle effect refers to the diffusion of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) between the cathode and anode during charge/discharge, leading to active material loss, low Coulombic efficiency, and rapid capacity fading.
How do metal oxide/carbon composites inhibit the shuttle effect?
Metal oxides provide strong polar adsorption sites for LiPSs, while carbon materials ensure high electrical conductivity and structural support. This combination enhances chemical binding and catalytic conversion of LiPSs, effectively suppressing the shuttle effect.
What are the common synthesis methods for TMO/CM composites?
Common methods include ex-situ approaches (e.g., mixing, coating) and in-situ growth (e.g., hydrothermal, solvothermal, chemical vapor deposition) to achieve uniform dispersion and strong interfacial interaction.
What structural modulation strategies are used to improve TMO/CM performance?
Strategies include heterostructure design (e.g., combining different TMOs or TMO/carbon interfaces), vacancy engineering (introducing oxygen vacancies), and facet manipulation (exposing active crystal facets) to enhance adsorption and catalytic activity.
What are the future prospects for TMO/CM composites in Li-S batteries?
Future research focuses on optimizing composite architectures, developing scalable synthesis methods, and understanding the fundamental mechanisms to achieve high sulfur loading, long cycle life, and practical viability for commercial applications.
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