Taming Polysulfide Shuttle and Lithium Dendrites in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries via All- / Quasi- Solid-State Electrolytes: Recent Progress and Future Prospects

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur batteries are regarded as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage battery technologies due to their high theoretical capacity and cost advantages, amongst other factors. However, due to the utilization of lithium metal as the anode and sulfur as the cathode, the technology is susceptible to undesired dendrite growth and polysulfide shuttling, which are two significant challenges that adversely affect its performance. In addressing these challenges, researchers are turning to solid-state electrolytes as a substitute for conventional liquid-state electrolytes. The present review proposes a classification of solid-state electrolytes for lithium-sulfur batteries into two categories: all-solid-state electrolytes (ASSEs) and quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs). It also provides a comprehensive overview of the most commonly employed response strategies within these electrolytes, and places emphasis on the value of in-situ observation. Finally, we examine the direction of future optimization schemes and the challenges that urgently need to be addressed in order to better face the two main challenges of shuttle effects and lithium dendrites, in the context of the continuous and in-depth study of solid-state electrolytes in lithium-sulfur batteries.