Structure–Property Relationships of Organic Electrolytes and Their Effects on Li/S Battery Performance

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) Vol. 29; no. 48
• Main Authors: Kaiser, Mohammad Rejaul, Chou, Shulei, Liu, Hua‐Kun, Dou, Shi‐Xue, Wang, Chunsheng, Wang, Jiazhao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Chemical properties; Electrolytes; Lithium sulfur batteries; Materials science; Molecular structure; Nonaqueous electrolytes; organic electrolytes; structure‐property relationships; Sulfur; lithium-sulfur batteries; organic electrolytes; structure-property relationships
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201700449

Electrolytes, which are a key component in electrochemical devices, transport ions between the sulfur/carbon composite cathode and the lithium anode in lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs). The performance of a LSB mostly depends on the electrolyte due to the dissolution of polysulfides into the electrolyte, along with the formation of a solid–electrolyte interphase. The selection of the electrolyte and its functionality during charging and discharging is intricate and involves multiple reactions and processes. The selection of the proper electrolyte, including solvents and salts, for LSBs strongly depends on its physical and chemical properties, which is heavily controlled by its molecular structure. In this review, the fundamental properties of organic electrolytes for LSBs are presented, and an attempt is made to determine the relationship between the molecular structure and the properties of common organic electrolytes, along with their effects on the LSB performance. Selection of the proper electrolyte, including solvents, salts, and additives, for lithium–sulfur batteries strongly depends on its physical and chemical properties, which is heavily controlled by its molecular structure. Structure–property relationships of organic electrolytes and their effects on Li/S battery performance are discussed.