Volume 58, Issue 51 pp. 18324-18337
Minireview

Sulfur-Based Electrodes that Function via Multielectron Reactions for Room-Temperature Sodium-Ion Storage

Dr. Yun-Xiao Wang

Dr. Yun-Xiao Wang

College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 China

Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong, NSW, 2500 Australia

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Dr. Wei-Hong Lai

Dr. Wei-Hong Lai

Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong, NSW, 2500 Australia

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Yun-Xia Wang

Yun-Xia Wang

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803 USA

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A/Prof. Shu-Lei Chou

Corresponding Author

A/Prof. Shu-Lei Chou

Institute for Superconducting & Electronic Materials, Australian Institute of Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, North Wollongong, NSW, 2500 Australia

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Prof. Xinping Ai

Prof. Xinping Ai

College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 China

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Prof. Hanxi Yang

Prof. Hanxi Yang

College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 China

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Prof. Yuliang Cao

Corresponding Author

Prof. Yuliang Cao

College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Power Sources, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072 China

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First published: 13 May 2019
Citations: 81

Graphical Abstract

Sulfur-based electrode materials are currently regarded as promising candidates for sodium-storage technologies, especially for sodium-ion (Na-ion) and room-temperature sodium–sulfur (RT-NaS) batteries. In this Minireview on the progress of electrodes based on metal sulfides and elemental sulfur, material design and performance enhancement are highlighted and sodium-storage mechanisms for both battery systems are discussed.

Abstract

Emerging rechargeable sodium-ion storage systems—sodium-ion and room-temperature sodium–sulfur (RT-NaS) batteries—are gaining extensive research interest as low-cost options for large-scale energy-storage applications. Owing to their abundance, easy accessibility, and unique physical and chemical properties, sulfur-based materials, in particular metal sulfides (MSx) and elemental sulfur (S), are currently regarded as promising electrode candidates for Na-storage technologies with high capacity and excellent redox reversibility based on multielectron conversion reactions. Here, we present current understanding of Na-storage mechanisms of the S-based electrode materials. Recent progress and strategies for improving electronic conductivity and tolerating volume variations of the MSx anodes in Na-ion batteries are reviewed. In addition, current advances on S cathodes in RT-NaS batteries are presented. We outline a novel emerging concept of integrating MSx electrocatalysts into conventional carbonaceous matrices as effective polarized S hosts in RT-NaS batteries as well. This comprehensive progress report could provide guidance for research toward the development of S-based materials for the future Na-storage techniques.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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