Electrocatalysts in lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries with the merits of high theoretical capacity and high energy density have gained significant attention as the next-generation energy storage devices. Unfortunately, the main pressing issues of sluggish reaction kinetics and severe shuttling of polysulfides hampered their practical application. To overcome these obstacles, various strategies adopting high-efficient electrocatalysts have been explored to enable the rapid polysulfide conversions and thereby suppressing the polysulfide shuttling. This review first summarizes the recent progress on electrocatalysts involved in hosts, interlayers, and protective layers. Then, these electrocatalysts in Li-S batteries are analyzed by listing representative works, from the viewpoints of design concepts, engineering strategies, working principles, and electrochemical performance. Finally, the remaining issues/challenges and future perspectives facing electrocatalysts are given and discussed. This review may provide new guidance for the future construction of electrocatalysts and their further utilizations in high-performance Li-S batteries.

Automated summary

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are gaining significant attention as next-generation energy storage devices due to their high theoretical capacity and energy density. However, issues with slow reaction kinetics and polysulfide shuttling hinder their practical application. To address these challenges, various strategies using efficient electrocatalysts have been explored to enable rapid polysulfide conversions and suppress shuttling. This review summarizes recent progress on electrocatalysts in Li-S batteries and analyzes them based on design concepts, engineering strategies, working principles, and electrochemical performance. Additionally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives in utilizing electrocatalysts in Li-S batteries are discussed.