Chemical routes toward long-lasting lithium/sulfur cells

Lithium/sulfur (Li/S) cells have great potential to become mainstream secondary batteries due to their ultra-high theoretical specific energy. The major challenge for Li/S cells is the unstable cycling performance caused by the sulfur’s insulating nature and the high-solubility of the intermediate polysulfide products. Several years of efforts to develop various fancy carbon nanostructures, trying to physically encapsulate the polysulfides, did not yet push the cell’s cycle life long enough to compete with current Li ion cells. The focus of this review is on the recent progress in chemical bonding strategy for trapping polysulfides through employing functional groups and additives in carbon matrix. Research results on understanding the working mechanism of chemical interaction between polysulfides and functional groups (e.g. O–, B–, N–and S–) in carbon matrix, metal-based additives, or polymer additives during charge/discharge are discussed.