Graphene-Based Materials for Flexible Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

ACS Nano. 2021 Sep 28;15(9):13901-13923. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.1c03183. Epub 2021 Sep 13.

Abstract

The increasing demand for wearable electronic devices necessitates flexible batteries with high stability and desirable energy density. Flexible lithium-sulfur batteries (FLSBs) have been increasingly studied due to their high theoretical energy density through the multielectron chemistry of low-cost sulfur. However, the implementation of FLSBs is challenged by several obstacles, including their low practical energy density, short life, and poor flexibility. Various graphene-based materials have been applied to address these issues. Graphene, with good conductivity and flexibility, exhibits synergistic effects with other active/catalytic/flexible materials to form multifunctional graphene-based materials, which play a pivotal role in FLSBs. This review summarizes the recent progress of graphene-based materials that have been used as various FLSB components, including cathodes, interlayers, and anodes. Particular attention is focused on the precise nanostructures, graphene efficacy, interfacial effects, and battery layout for realizing FLSBs with good flexibility, energy density, and cycling stability.

Keywords: flexible lithium−sulfur batteries; freestanding structure; graphene-based materials; gravimetric energy density; interlayers; lithium anodes; lithium polysulfides; sulfur cathodes; volumetric energy density.