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Nano Aspects of Lithium/Sulfur Batteries

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Nanoscale Technology for Advanced Lithium Batteries

Part of the book series: Nanostructure Science and Technology ((NST))

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Abstract

The high specific capacity of sulfur (1675 mAh g−1) and lithium (3800 mAh g−1), with a combined specific energy exceeding 2,600 Wh kg−1, is the driving force behind the development of a rechargeable lithium/sulfur (Li/S) battery. Since sulfur has the advantages of being relatively cheap and nonpoisonous, Li/S cells are more eco-friendly and economical compared to other secondary batteries. However, a considerable amount of research continues in an effort to explain and settle problems associated with Li/S cell technology, such as the insulating nature of sulfur and the solubility of the redox reaction products in the electrolytes, both of which cause a low cycle life and poor rate capability. In addition, the use of elemental lithium metal as an anode increases the potential for explosion by its dendrite. A final problem is the degradation of the capacity by the reaction of lithium with polysulfides in the cells.

This article introduces a combination of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in the Li/S batteries that have been studied to enhance the cycle life and capacity of these batteries by solving the aforementioned main problems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. WCU and PRC of Gyeongsang National University, 900 Gajwa-dong, Jinju, 660-701, South Korea

    Ho-Suk Ryu, Hyo-Jun Ahn, Ki-Won Kim & Jou-Hyeon Ahn

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  1. Ho-Suk Ryu
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  2. Hyo-Jun Ahn
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  3. Ki-Won Kim
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  4. Jou-Hyeon Ahn
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Correspondence to Hyo-Jun Ahn .

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  1. Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan

    Tetsuya Osaka

  2. Society-Academia Collaboration for Innovation, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Zempachi Ogumi

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Ryu, HS., Ahn, HJ., Kim, KW., Ahn, JH. (2014). Nano Aspects of Lithium/Sulfur Batteries. In: Osaka, T., Ogumi, Z. (eds) Nanoscale Technology for Advanced Lithium Batteries. Nanostructure Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8675-6_16

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