The role of advanced host materials and binders for improving lithium-sulfur battery performance

Lithium-sulfur (LiS) batteries are considered a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage devices, owing to their extremely high theoretical specific capacity and energy density. However, the electrically nonconductive nature of S and shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (PS) (as well as other issues) hamper the commercial applications of LiS batteries. Recently, increased attention has been focused on designing advanced PS trapping-host materials and functional binders, which make cathode electronically conductive and improve the cycle life of LiS batteries during electrochemical reactions. Previous studies revealed that advanced S-host materials and binders can significantly enhance battery performance. An ideal host material provides enough surface area for reaction as well as increases the movement of electrons and Li-ions. An ideal binder provides good adhesion ability, suitable swelling capacity, high Li-ion conductivity, and effective adsorption capability for polysulfides. In this chapter, we address advanced host materials and functional binders that offer promising avenues to achieving higher energy density and longer cycle life of LiS batteries.