A review on the status and challenges of electrocatalysts in lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, which have a high theoretical specific capacity (1,675 mA h g(-1) of S) and a high energy density (2,600 Wh kg(-1) of S), have received a great deal of attention in recent years. Intense research efforts have been made to solve the outstanding issues in Li-S batteries. Various catalysts with high activity for stabilizing the lithium-polysulfide shuttle process and thus improving the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries are reviewed here. Challenges and prospects for designing highly efficient catalysts for Li-S batteries are discussed.