Metal-Sulfur Batteries: Overview and Research Methods

Michael Salama, Rosy, Ran Attias, Reut Yemini, Yosef Gofer, Doron Aurbach, Malachi Noked

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

119 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rechargeable metal-sulfur batteries (RMSBs) represent one of the most attractive electrochemical systems in terms of energy density and cost. In most of the proposed systems, the anode side is metallic and the cathode side is elemental sulfur impregnated in a porous matrix. Despite the relatively low voltage of these systems, they attract a lot of attention and are considered to be very promising as next-generation batteries for the following reasons: (1) utilization of active metal anodes enables a leap in specific energy due to the high capacity of metal anodes in comparison to intercalation compounds, (2) sulfur as a cathode exhibits high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mAh/g), and (3) system components make RMSBs low-cost, less toxic batteries. Nevertheless, the high reactivity of metallic anodes (e.g., Li, Na, Mg, and Al) and the solubility of sulfur species in the electrolyte render these batteries unstable and hinder their practical realization. In this Perspective, we focus on rechargeable sulfur batteries with active metal anodes, present important studies conducted in this field, and summarize the reported methods and techniques that are mandatory for effective and practical studies of RMSB.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)436-446
Number of pages11
JournalACS Energy Letters
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 8 Feb 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Chemical Society.

Funding

Rosy is thankful to the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council of High Education for awarding a postdoctoral research fellowship. The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Planning & Budgeting Committee/ISRAEL Council for Higher Education (CHE) and Fuel Choice Initiative (Prime Minister Office of ISRAEL), within the framework of the “Israel National Research Center for Electrochemical Propulsion (INREP)”.

FundersFunder number
Council of High Education
Fuel Choice Initiative
Prime Minister office of Israel
Israel National Research Center for Electrochemical Propulsion

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