Lithium Sulfonate/Carboxylate-Anchored Polyvinyl Alcohol Separators for Lithium Sulfur Batteries

Advanced Separator Materials for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Progress and Prospects

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are promising energy storage devices owing to their high theoretical specific capacity and energy density. However, several challenges, including volume expansion, slow reaction kinetics, polysulfide shuttle effect and lithium dendrite formation, hinder their commercialization. Separators are a key component of Li-S batteries. Traditional separators, made of polypropylene and polyethylene, have certain limitations that should be addressed. Therefore, this review discusses the basic properties and mechanisms of Li-S battery separators, focuses on preparing different functionalized separators to mitigate the shuttle effect of polysulfides. This review also introduces future research trends, emphasizing the potential of separator functionalization in advancing the Li-S battery technology.

Electrospun MoS2-CNTs-PVA/PVA Hybrid Separator for High-Performance Li/FeS2 Batteries

As a promising candidate for high-energy-density rechargeable lithium metal batteries, Li/FeS2 batteries still suffer from the large volume change and severe shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides during cycling. To improve the electrochemical performance, great efforts have been made to modify FeS2 cathodes by constructing various nanocomposites. However, energy density is sacrificed, and these materials are not applicable at a large scale. Herein, we report that the electrochemical performance of commercial FeS2 can be greatly enhanced with the application of a double-layer MoS2-CNTs-PVA (MCP)/PVA separator fabricated by electrospinning. The assembled Li/FeS2 batteries can still deliver a high discharge capacity of 400 mAh/g after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.5 C. The improved cycling stability can be attributed to the strong affinity towards lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) of the hydroxyl-rich PVA matrix and the unique double-layer structure, in which the bottom layer acts as an electrical insulation layer and the top layer coupled with MoS2/CNTs provides catalytic sites for LiPS conversion.

Recent Development in Novel Lithium-Sulfur Nanofiber Separators: A Review of the Latest Fabrication and Performance Optimizations

Lithium-Sulfur batteries (LSBs) are one of the most promising next-generation batteries to replace Li-ion batteries that power everything from small portable devices to large electric vehicles. LSBs boast a nearly five times higher theoretical capacity than Li-ion batteries due to sulfur's high theoretical capacity, and LSBs use abundant sulfur instead of rare metals as their cathodes. In order to make LSBs commercially viable, an LSB's separator must permit fast Li-ion diffusion while suppressing the migration of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). Polyolefin separators (commonly used in Li-ion batteries) fail to block LiPSs, have low thermal stability, poor mechanical strength, and weak electrolyte affinity. Novel nanofiber (NF) separators address the aforementioned shortcomings of polyolefin separators with intrinsically superior properties. Moreover, NF separators can easily be produced in large volumes, fine-tuned via facile electrospinning techniques, and modified with various additives. This review discusses the design principles and performance of LSBs with exemplary NF separators. The benefits of using various polymers and the effects of different polymer modifications are analyzed. We also discuss the conversion of polymer NFs into carbon NFs (CNFs) and their effects on rate capability and thermal stability. Finally, common and promising modifiers for NF separators, including carbon, metal oxide, and metal-organic framework (MOF), are examined. We highlight the underlying properties of the composite NF separators that enhance the capacity, cyclability, and resilience of LSBs.

Tailoring the Electrochemical Deposition of Zn by Tuning the Viscosity of the Liquid Electrolyte

The issues during Zn deposition in rechargeable Zn-based batteries greatly hinder cycling stability. In this work, a simple and inexpensive approach to tailor the Zn electrodeposition is proposed by tuning the viscosity of the liquid electrolyte (LE). First, the growth mechanisms of Zn deposition under different electrolyte properties are investigated by numerical simulation, from which the bottom deposition tends to fuse with each other when there are more deposition sites, and the mass-transfer coefficient is lower, thus achieving uniform deposition. Besides, the whole process of Zn deposition in charging-discharging cycling is in situ observed by an optical microscope. It is found that the cause of the poor stability in the LE is due to the uneven Zn deposition, resulting in weak bonding between the deposition and the electrode surface, which is also the reason for the formation of dead Zn. In contrast, when an appropriate amount of the polymer is added to the LE to increase the viscosity, an appropriate overpotential can be created, generating more deposition sites. In addition, the viscosity reduces the mass-transfer coefficient, making the distance from the ion to the deposition sites the main controlling factor. The Zn ions are more inclined to move in the direction of electric field lines, which results in a uniform and dense deposition layer. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this method is demonstrated in a Zn-LiFePO₄ battery, from which the battery with the modified electrolyte condition still works properly even in the Zn utilization of 100% and shows a capacity retention rate (35%) of nearly twice that in the original LE condition (18%) after 10 cycles. This work provides a theoretical basis for Zn deposition and provides ideas for the future development of high-performance Zn-based batteries.

Improved performance of lithium-sulfur batteries by employing a sulfonated carbon nanoparticle-modified glass fiber separator

Some of the most promising alternatives in the energy storage sector are lithium-sulfur batteries, which have a high energy density and theoretical capacity. However, the low electrical conductivity of sulfur and the shuttle effect of polysulfides remain important technical obstacles in the practical use of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). This work employed a glass fiber separator with sulfonated carbon nanoparticles (SCNPs) to reduce the shuttle effect. The negatively charged sulfonic groups in SCNPs might prevent polysulfide migration and anchor lithium polysulfides. By using carbon-based interlayers, this method improves ion conductivity. Furthermore, the equally scattered sulfonic groups serve as active sites, causing sulfur to be distributed consistently and limiting sulfur growth while enhancing active sulfur utilization. After 200 cycles at 1C, the SCNP separator-containing cell showed a specific capacity of 1080 mA h g^-1. After 200 cycles, the cell with a CNP separator only showed a specific capacity of 854 mA h g^-1, demonstrating that CNPs' polysulfide diffusion suppression was ineffective. The cell with the SCNP separator still showed a high capacity of 901 mA h g^-1 after 500 cycles, with an average coulombic efficiency of almost 98%.

Raw cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol blending separators prepared by phase inversion for high-performance supercapacitors

The development of a biodegradable cellulose-based separator with excellent performance has been of great research significance and application potential for the green development of supercapacitors. Herein, the regenerated porous cellulose/Polyvinyl alcohol films (CP-10, CP-15, CP-20, CP-25) with different mass ratio were successfully fabricated by a simple blending and phase inversion process. Their electrochemical properties as separators in assembled supercapacitor were evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis indicate that intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding existed between cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol of the CP films. Compared with other CP films, the CP-20 film shows higher mechanical strength (28.02 MPa), better wettability (79.06°), higher porosity (59.69%) and electrolyte uptake (281.26 wt%). These properties of CP-20 are expected to show better electrochemical performance as separator. Indeed, the electrochemical tests, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge discharge, demonstrate that the SC-20 capacitor (with CP-20 as separator) shows the lowest equivalent series resistance of 0.57 Ω, the highest areal capacitance of 1.98 F cm^-2 at 10 mV s^-1, specific capacitance of 134.41 F g^-1 and charge-discharge efficiency of 98.62% at 1 A g^-1 among the four capacitors with CP films as separators. Comparing the assembled SC-40 and SC-30 with two commercial separators (TF4040 and MPF30AC) and SC-PVA with Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) separator, the CV and GCD curves of SC-20 maintain the quasi rectangular and symmetrical triangular profiles respectively at different scan rates in potential window of 0-1 V. SC-20 exhibits the highest value of 28.24 Wh kg^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1 with a power density of 0.26 kW kg^-1, and 13.41 Wh kg^-1 at 10 A g^-1 with a power density of 6.04 kW kg^-1. SC-20 also shows the lowest voltage drop and the highest areal and specific capacitance. Moreover, SC-20 maintains the highest value of 86.81% after 4000 cycles compared to 21.18% of SC-40, 75.07% of SC-30, and 6.66% of SC-PVA, showing a superior rate capability of a supercapacitor. These results indicate that CP films can be served as promising separators for supercapacitors.

Cation-Selective Separators for Addressing the Lithium-Sulfur Battery Challenges

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have become one of the most promising candidates for next-generation energy storage systems owing to their high theoretical energy density, environmental friendliness, and cost effectiveness. However, real-word applications are seriously restricted by an undesirable shuttle effect and Li dendrite formation. In essence, uncontrollable anion transport is a key factor that causes both polysulfide shuttling and dendrite formation, which creates the possibility of simultaneously addressing the two critical issues in LSBs. An effective strategy to control anion transport is the construction of cation-selective separators. Significant progress has been achieved in the inhibition of the shuttle effect, whereas addressing the problem of Li dendrite formation by utilizing a cation-selective separator is still under way. From this viewpoint, this Review analyzes critical issues with regard to the shuttle effect and Li dendrite formation caused by uncontrollable anion transport, based on which roles and advantages of cation-selective separators toward high-performance LSBs are presented. According to the separator-construction principle, the latest advances and progress in cation-selective separators in inhibiting the shuttle effect and Li dendrite formation are reviewed in detail. Finally, some challenges and prospects are proposed for the future development of cation-selective separators. This Review is anticipated to provide a new perspective for simultaneously addressing the two critical issues in LSBs.

Cost-Effective Water-Soluble Poly(vinyl alcohol) as a Functional Binder for High-Sulfur-Loading Cathodes in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Binder, as one of the key components, plays a crucial role in improving the capacity and cycling performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. In this work, commercially available, low-cost, water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been systematically investigated as a functional polymer binder for high-sulfur-loading cathodes, with the aim of enhancing sulfur utilization, reducing capacity decay, and extending cycling life of the cathodes. In comparison with polyvinylidene fluoride as a conventional binder, PVA shows a valuable polysulfide entrapping ability and a much stronger binding strength. Its superior polysulfide entrapping ability has been verified through theoretical density functional theory calculations and an experimental ex situ adsorption study. In electrochemical Li-S battery performance evaluation, at a sulfur loading density of 3.5 mg cm-2, the sulfur cathode assembled with the PVA binder displays at 0.5 C a very slow capacity decay of only 0.010% per cycle over 250 cycles. Additionally, the strong binding strength of PVA allows the fabrication of thick sulfur cathodes with a high sulfur loading density of 10.5 mg cm-2, which shows a high areal capacity of 4.0 mA h cm-2 and a high cycling stability (capacity decay of 0.1% per cycle). In consideration of the superior capacity retention and cycling performance of its enabled cathodes, the cost-effective PVA is a promising candidate for high-sulfur-loading cathodes in practical applications.

Designing of a Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Three-Flame Retardant Applied in a Gel Poly-m-phenyleneisophthalamide Nanofiber Membrane for Advanced Safety Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Based on the urgent demand of non-flammable electrospun nanofiber separators and the strong adsorption to polysulfides through chemical doping in separators for Li-S cell, in this study, a phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur three-flame retardant (di-(2-(5,5-dimethyl-2-sulfido-1,3,2-dioxaphosphinan-2-yl)hydrazineyl)-P-ethylphosphinic) was synthesized and a high-performance flame-retarding poly-m-phenyleneisophthalamide (PMIA) membrane was successfully prepared through blend electrospinning with the flame retardant, it is regarded as a promising gel nanofiber membrane with advanced safety for the lithium-sulfur (Li-S) cell, and it was systematically explored and analyzed. It was presented that the modified PMIA electrospun membrane with the synthesized flame retardant possessed excellent flame retardation, outstanding thermal stability, and good mechanical strength. Meanwhile, the prepared membrane showed extraordinarily high uptake and preserving retention of the liquid electrolyte and enhanced ionic conductivity. More importantly, the assembled Li-S cells using the obtained membrane exhibited excellent cycling retention and outstanding rate capability because of its fast ion transportation and good interfacial compatibility. The assembled batteries with the novel membrane exhibited a high first-cycle discharge capacity of 1121.50 mA h g^-1, superior discharge capacity retention of 713.41 mA h g^-1, and high Coulombic efficiency of 98.46% after 600 cycles at the 0.5 C rate. In addition, the limiting oxygen index of the obtained nanofiber membrane with flame retardancy was as high as ∼30.0%, which could greatly enhance the safety of the electrospun nanofiber separator. The excellent electrochemical performances and safety for the battery assembled with the prepared gel PMIA nanofiber membrane were attributed to the significantly prevented "shuttle effect" of lithium polysulfides based on the physical capturing of lithium polysulfides through the obtained jelly-like gel state and chemical binding of polysulfide intermediates through the tridoped phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur elements in the PMIA and the flame retardant. All of these excellent properties will promote the great development of the Li-S battery with high performance and satisfactory safety.

Current Status and Future Prospects of Metal-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries are a major focus of academic and industrial energy-storage research due to their high theoretical energy density and the use of low-cost materials. The high energy density results from the conversion mechanism that lithium-sulfur cells utilize. The sulfur cathode, being naturally abundant and environmentally friendly, makes lithium-sulfur batteries a potential next-generation energy-storage technology. The current state of the research indicates that lithium-sulfur cells are now at the point of transitioning from laboratory-scale devices to a more practical energy-storage application. Based on similar electrochemical conversion reactions, the low-cost sulfur cathode can be coupled with a wide range of metallic anodes, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and aluminum. These new "metal-sulfur" systems exhibit great potential in either lowering the production cost or producing high energy density. Inspired by the rapid development of lithium-sulfur batteries and the prospect of metal-sulfur cells, here, over 450 research articles are summarized to analyze the research progress and explore the electrochemical characteristics, cell-assembly parameters, cell-testing conditions, and materials design. In addition to highlighting the current research progress, the possible future areas of research which are needed to bring conversion-type lithium-sulfur and other metal-sulfur batteries into the market are also discussed.

A lithium passivated MoO3 nanobelt decorated polypropylene separator for fast-charging long-life Li-S batteries

Dissolution of lithium polysulfide (LiPS) into the electrolyte during discharging, causing shuttling of LiPS from the cathode to the lithium (Li) metal, is mainly responsible for the capacity decay and short battery life of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Herein, we designed a separator comprising polypropylene (PP) coated with MoO3 nanobelts (MNBs), prepared through facile grinding of commercial MoO3 powder. The formation of Li2Sn-MoO3 during discharging inhibited the polysulfide shuttling; during charging, Li passivated LixMoO3 facilitated ionic transfer during the redox reaction by decreasing the charge transfer resistance. This dual-interaction mechanism of LiPS-with both Mo and the formation of LixMoO3-resulted in a substantially high initial discharge capacity at a very high current density of 5C, with 29.4% of the capacity retained after 5000 cycles. The simple fabrication approach and extraordinary cycle life observed when using this MNB-coated separator suggest a scalable solution for future commercialization of LSBs.