Their discovery is a new way of producing and stabilizing a rare form of sulfur that functions in a carbonate electrolyte – the energy-transport liquid used in commercial lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. A recent breakthrough by researchers in Drexel’s College of Engineering, reported in a paper in Communications Chemistry, now offers a way to sidestep the obstacles that have subdued lithium-sulphur (Li-S) batteries in the past, finally putting the sought-after technology within commercial reach.
This is because of sulfur’s natural abundance and chemical structure, which would allow it to store more energy.
Well before the current EV surge and battery material shortage, developing a commercially viable sulfur battery has been the battery industry’s sustainable, high-performing white whale. This also focused attention on the primary providers of the raw materials – countries like Congo and China – and raised questions about the human and environmental impact of extracting them from the earth. With global sales of EVs more than doubling in 2021, prices of battery materials like lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt surged and supply chains for these raw materials, most of which are sourced from other countries, became bottlenecked due to the pandemic.
In hopes of making batteries that not only perform better than those currently used in EVs but also are made from readily available materials, a group of chemical engineers at Drexel University has found a way to introduce sulfur into lithium-ion batteries – with astounding results. The growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has shed light on the significant challenge of sustainably sourcing the battery technology necessary for the broad shift towards renewable electric and away from fossil fuels.
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