Functionalized Separators for Lithium-sulfur Batteries: Mechanisms, Materials, and Performance Optimization
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Lithium-sulfur batteries, with ultrahigh energy density(2600 Wh kg -1 ) and cost efficiency, face critical challenges hindering commercialization: poor conductivity of S/Li 2 S, polysulfide shuttling, Li dendrite growth, and severe volume expansion. Functionalized separators emerge as a pivotal solution, integrating ion-sieving architectures, catalytic conversion, electrostatic repulsion, and chemisorption to suppress polysulfide migration while ensuring Li + transport. Advanced materials-carbon-based frameworks(graphene, CNTs), conductive polymers(PPy, PANI), porous MOFs/COFs, and inorganic compounds (transition metal oxides/sulfides)—synergistically enhance conductivity, anchor polysulfides, and accelerate redox kinetics. Heteroatom doping and heterostructure designs optimize adsorption and catalytic activity, achieving capacities >900 mAh g -1 and cyclability >1000 cycles. Flexible architectures demonstrate practical viability under mechanical stress. Future priorities include scalable fabrication of ultrathin separators, multifunctional integration (polysulfide suppression, dendrite inhibition), and compatibility with high-sulfur-loading cathodes. Bridging lab-scale innovations to industrial deployment requires harmonizing material design, electrolyte optimization, and advanced characterization to address interfacial instability and energy loss mechanisms.
Source: Chemical Innovation & Technology
DOI: 10.61784/cit3004
Author: ShuYu Cheng
Institution: Fujian Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4409304560