Sign in Subscribe
Batteries

Breakthrough in Lithium-Sulfur Battery Design

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A team of researchers from LG Energy solution and Korea's national research institute has developed a novel electrolyte additive that could overcome the long-standing trade-off between energy density and cycling stability in lithium-sulfur batteries. By incorporating a small amount of Lewis acidic calcium cation in the electrolyte, the researchers have been able to achieve high energy density and excellent cycling stability. The innovative design has the potential to significantly improve the performance and sustainability of lithium-sulfur batteries, which are essential for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new electrolyte additive, made with Lewis acidic calcium cation, has been shown to significantly improve the energy density of lithium-sulfur batteries to 493 Wh kg, with 70% capacity retention at 220 cycles.
  • The additive addresses the problems of lean electrolyte lithium-sulfur batteries, including electrolyte jamming, polysulfide shuttle, and Li corrosion.
  • The in situ-formed CaS catalyzes the reduction reaction of lithium polysulfides, while Ca rejuvenates via electrochemical oxidation of CaS during charging.
  • The judicious integration of lithium-sulfur and calcium-sulfur chemistries offers a handy but effective approach to improve the energy density and cycling stability of lithium-sulfur batteries.
  • The research team includes Jinkwan Jung, Hannah Cho, Ilju Kim, Jinuk Kim, Sejin Kim, Jonghyun Hyun, Chang Hoon Lee, Hobeom Kwack, Wonsik Oh, Jinwoo Lee, and Hee-Tak Kim.
  • The study was published in Nature Communications, a leading scientific journal.

Statistics:

  • Energy density: 493 Wh kg (E/S of 2.4 mL mg)
  • Capacity retention: 70% at 220 cycles
  • Energy density (2nd condition): 346 Wh kg (2.9 mL mg)
  • Capacity retention (2nd condition): 77% at 360 cycles
  • Electrolyte additive concentration: small amount of Lewis acidic calcium cation

Sources:

  • Interconvertible and rejuvenated Lewis acidic electrolyte additive for lean electrolyte lithium sulfur batteries. Nature Communications, 2025;16(1):6805.
  • LG Energy solution. Jinkwan Jung, Seoul, South Korea.
  • Korea's national research institute. (Name not explicitly provided in the source material.)

Read more