Trace ethanol as an efficient electrolyte additive to reduce the activation voltage of the Li₂S cathode in lithium-ion–sulfur batteries

Trace ethanol is applied as a cheap and effective electrolyte additive for reducing the activation voltage of Li2S cathodes in lithium-ion-sulfur batteries. Because Li2S can dissolve in ethanol, the solid-solid phase reaction in the first stage of the activation process converts into a liquid-solid phase reaction, which expedites the transport of electrons and lithium ions and reduces the activation voltage of Li2S. This strategy can be extended to other solvents that can dissolve Li2S.