Advanced cathodic free-standing interlayers for lithium-sulfur batteries: understanding, fabrication, and modification

In the past decades, lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have demonstrated huge practical potential due to their ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity, low price, and environmental friendliness. However, LSBs are still faced with the problems of volumetric expansion, slow reaction kinetics, and short working life due to the shuttling of polysulfides. The introduction of a free-standing interlayer is a good way to solve the problems because of the physical confinement, chemical entrapment, and conversion. This review summarizes the common fabrication methods of free-standing interlayers, including the power-originated and film-originated methods. The modification of the as-prepared free-standing interlayers is also accomplished into physical treatment, atomic doping, and compound introduction. Finally, we conclude and compare the different fabrication methods of free-standing interlayers and their modifications and put forward the outlook of the high-performance free-standing interlayers.

Automated summary

Lithium-sulfur batteries have shown great potential but still face challenges. The introduction of free-standing interlayers is a promising solution. This review summarizes the fabrication methods and modifications of free-standing interlayers, and discusses the outlook for high-performance interlayers.