Physicochemical behaviors of oxygen and sulfur in Li batteries

Abstract

Of late, the development of advanced batteries with high power density and capacity has been indispensible for pushing ahead with much wider applications to electric vehicles and smart IT devices. However, a conventional Li-ion battery contains a limited energy density due to various technological challenges such that other types of Li batteries including Li-S and Li-air have been extensively studied due to their interestingly high energy capacities. Sulfur and oxygen, of which both are cathode materials, showing similar physicochemical characteristics have widely been available which may also contribute to the commercialization of these batteries. In this review, we introduce some perspectives in improving these advanced Li batteries through several approaches such as the provision of porous cathode structures, the optimization of cathode-electrolyte interfaces and the modification of Li anodes.