Stabilization Strategies of Lithium Metal Anode Toward Dendrite-Free Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are considered as a most promising rechargeable lithium metal batteries because of their high energy density and low cost. However, the Li-S batteries mainly suffer the capacity decay issue caused by the shutting effect of lithium polysulfides and the safety issues arising from the Li dendrites formation. This review outlines the current issues of Li-S batteries. Furthermore, we comprehensively summarized the challenges encountered by Li anode in Li-S batteries, such as the heterogeneous deposition of the Li anode, the unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer, and volume expansion. Moreover, research progresses in the stabilization strategies of Li anodes (physical approaches, optimization of electrolyte, surface protection layer, and design of current collector) is discussed in detail. Lastly, the remaining challenges and future research directions of Li metal anode stabilization in Li-S batteries are also present. In this review, the current issues of Li-S batteries were outlined. Then, we specially summarized the challenges of Li anode for Li-S, which included the heterogeneous deposition, unstable SEI layer and volume expansion. Furthermore, research progresses of stabilization strategies of Li anode (physical strategy, electrolyte optimization, surface protection layer and design of current collector) in Li-S batteries are highlighted. image