Fast‐Charging Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

This review explores strategies to overcome fast-charging challenges in lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). It covers key techniques to address LiPS shuttling, sluggish kinetics, and dendrite formation. The crucial role of battery components, catalysts, and electrode/separator modifications is analyzed. The review also discusses scaling challenges and provides future perspectives on developing next-generation LSBs with high capacity and rapid-charging capabilities.

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable energy solutions has intensified research into lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) due to their potential for high energy density, though their commercialization is primarily hindered by challenges in achieving satisfactory cycle stability and energy density, with fast-charging capabilities also requiring significant improvement. This review explores strategies to enhance the fast-charging capabilities of LSBs, addressing critical issues such as lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) shuttling, sluggish reaction kinetics, and lithium dendrite formation. The review discusses the mechanisms of fast-charging, followed by a comprehensive analysis of key techniques and the crucial role of various battery components that can revolutionize fast-charging capabilities. It covers challenges related to electrical and ionic conductivity, optimizing Li-ion mobility, immobilizing LiPS, designing suitable electrolytes, integrating catalysts to accelerate LiPSs conversion, and engineering cathodes and separator modifications. Additionally, the review discusses scaling challenges for fast-charging LSBs, including electrolyte design, sulfur loading, polysulfide shuttle mitigation, and electrode stability. The review concludes by providing future perspectives on developing next-generation LSBs that could transform the energy storage landscape, with a sustainable, high-capacity, and rapid-charging alternative to current battery technologies, with significant implications for electric vehicles and portable electronics.