Lithium-sulfur batteries exhibit theoretical energy densities of 2,600 Wh/kg—nearly five times that of conventional lithium-ion cells—but suffer from rapid capacity fade during cycling. Current laboratory prototypes show capacity retention dropping below 80% after just 100-200 cycles, with polysulfide shuttle mechanisms causing active material loss and lithium metal degradation. These issues are particularly pronounced in practical cell configurations using thick sulfur cathodes (>4 mg/cm²) and lean electrolytes.

The fundamental challenge lies in simultaneously addressing polysulfide dissolution, lithium metal protection, and cathode structural integrity while maintaining the high energy density that makes lithium-sulfur chemistry promising for electric vehicles.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including sparingly solvating electrolytes that prevent polysulfide migration, cathode architectures with carbon-sulfur composites featuring tailored surface functionalization, electrolyte additives that control polysulfide conversion, and hybrid cathode compositions that combine sulfur with intercalation materials. These and other approaches demonstrate practical pathways toward lithium-sulfur batteries with the cycling stability required for electric vehicle applications.

1. Electrolyte Additives for Controlled Polysulfide Conversion in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

UCHICAGO ARGONNE LLC, 2025

Electrolyte additives for lithium-sulfur batteries that prevent active material loss through controlled polysulfide conversion. The additives form stable complexes with sulfur species, facilitating their conversion to Li2S8 while maintaining electrochemical activity. This approach addresses the key challenges of Li-S battery performance, particularly during commercial cycling conditions where thick sulfur cathodes and lean electrolytes are used. The additives enable rapid formation of Li2S8 through controlled polysulfide conversion, without the need for external heating or stirring.

2. Cathode Composition with Combined Sulfur-Based and Non-Sulfur Intercalation Materials for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Konami Co., Ltd., 2025

Cathode material for lithium-sulfur batteries that combines sulfur-based electroactive materials with non-sulfur intercalation materials. The material comprises a sulfur-based electroactive material, a non-sulfur electroactive material, and a blend of non-sulfur intercalation materials. The non-sulfur intercalation materials are selected to match the discharge voltage curve of the sulfur-based material, allowing simultaneous lithium insertion during discharge. The material achieves high energy density, long cycle life, and low cost by incorporating both sulfur-based and non-sulfur intercalation materials in a single cathode composition.

CN119278525A-patent-drawing

3. Lithium-Sulfur Battery with Sparingly Solvating Electrolyte and Polysulfide Migration Inhibition

LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD, 2024

Lithium-sulfur battery with enhanced lifespan through a novel electrolyte system that prevents polysulfide migration. The battery employs an SSE (sparingly solvating electrolyte) system with carbon-based electrodes, where sulfur is retained in the positive electrode and lithium metal remains intact. The SSE electrolyte eliminates the traditional polysulfide shuttle phenomenon, while maintaining the battery's theoretical capacity. This approach enables the battery to operate for extended periods without the degradation typically associated with conventional lithium-sulfur batteries.

4. Lithium-Sulfur Battery System with Novel Electrode Materials, Advanced Electrolyte Solutions, and Integrated Thermal Management

DR S SRINIVASAN, 2023

Advanced energy storage system using Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries that addresses the growing demand for sustainable and high-capacity energy storage solutions. The system integrates novel electrode materials and advanced electrolyte solutions, optimizing electrochemical performance and extending battery lifespan. The system also incorporates innovative thermal management and safety features to prevent thermal runaway and ensure reliable operation. This breakthrough technology enables the widespread adoption of Li-S batteries in applications like electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and portable electronics, offering a significant leap forward in energy storage solutions.

5. Lithium-Sulfur Battery with Sulfur-Based Cathode and Polyolefin Membrane Separator Featuring Variable Pore Sizes

LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD, 2023

Lithium-sulfur battery with high energy density and exceptional lifespan, achieved through a novel cathode design. The battery utilizes a sulfur-based positive electrode active material with a high specific surface area, combined with a separator made from a specialized polyolefin membrane. This separator, featuring pores of varying sizes, enables efficient ion transport while preventing polysulfide elution. The battery achieves remarkable discharge capacity retention through the separator's superior ion transport properties, while maintaining excellent cycle life and preventing dendrite growth on the lithium cathode.

6. Electrolyte Composition with Vinyl Ester Solvent for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD, 2022

Electrolyte for lithium-sulfur batteries with enhanced durability. The electrolyte combines a non-aqueous electrolyte with a solvent containing vinyl esters in a proportion of 10-100% by weight. This composition enables the battery to achieve superior performance characteristics, including enhanced cycle life and improved overall battery stability, compared to conventional electrolyte formulations.

7. Lithium-Sulfur Battery with Sparing Solvating Electrolyte and High Surface Area Carbon-Sulfur Cathode

LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD, 2022

Lithium-sulfur battery with enhanced energy density through a novel electrolyte system that utilizes a sparing solvating electrolyte (SSE) with specific properties. The battery features a cathode comprising sulfur and a carbon material with high surface area, where the SSE electrolyte enables 90% or more of the theoretical sulfur discharge capacity to be utilized. The SSE system prevents polysulfide dissolution, eliminating the short-circuiting and degradation issues associated with conventional catholytes. The battery achieves improved performance through the optimized cathode design and the SSE electrolyte system, which enables higher capacity utilization of sulfur.

KR20220043310A-patent-drawing

8. Sulfur-Carbon Composite with Hydroxyl and Carboxyl Surface Functionalization for Enhanced Polysulfide Adsorption

LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD, 2022

A sulfur-carbon composite for lithium-sulfur batteries that enhances polysulfide adsorption while maintaining electrical conductivity. The composite is prepared by modifying a carbon-based material with a surface treatment that incorporates hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, achieving a surface functional group content of 3-10% by weight. This modification enables effective polysulfide adsorption without compromising electrical properties, allowing for improved battery performance and capacity retention.

9. Electrolyte Composition with Fluorinated Ether and Alkali Metal Salt for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

DAIKIN IND LTD, 2022

Lithium-sulfur battery electrolyte that enhances discharge characteristics and capacity retention. The electrolyte contains a fluorinated ether compound with a specific molecular structure, combined with an alkali metal salt. This combination provides improved performance in lithium-sulfur batteries, particularly in reducing discharge capacity and prolonging battery life through enhanced ionic conductivity and chemical stability.

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10. Method for Fabricating Lithium-Sulfur Battery Electrodes with Foamed Nickel Current Collector and Carbon Nanotube Coating

ZHEJIANG WANGDIAN TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021

A method for preparing high-performance lithium-sulfur battery positive electrodes through a novel current collector structure. The method involves creating a current collector from foamed nickel, followed by carbon nanotube (CNT) deposition on the nickel surface through chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The resulting electrode has a three-dimensional conductive network formed by sulfur, which enables efficient lithium-ion intercalation and discharge. The current collector and CNT structure work together to enhance the electrode's performance, including improved capacity retention and charging efficiency, while maintaining high current density.

11. Nanostructured Core-Shell Cathode Materials with Enclosed Electroactive Sulfur for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

CONAMIX INC, 2020

Cathode materials for lithium-sulfur batteries that achieve higher energy density through novel nanostructured designs. The materials contain electroactive sulfur in a fully enclosed core-shell structure, eliminating sulfide migration pathways between the cathode and anode. The core-shell architecture provides enhanced electrochemical performance by physically containing sulfur within an impermeable shell. The materials are fabricated through polymer and sulfur composition blending methods, enabling the creation of nanostructured cathodes with superior energy density compared to conventional metal oxide-based intercalation cathodes.

12. Rechargeable Alkali Metal-Sulfur Battery with Elastomer-Based Anode-Protecting Layer

NANOTEK INSTRUMENTS INC, 2020

A rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur battery with enhanced performance through a novel anode-protecting layer. The battery features a lithium-sulfur cell with an elastomer-based anode-protecting layer that prevents lithium polysulfide migration and dissolution. The anode-protecting layer has a thickness of 1 nm to 100 μm, exhibits fully recoverable tensile strain up to 1,000%, and maintains electronic conductivity below 10^-8 S/cm. This separator-based design enables high sulfur content, efficient cathode utilization, and exceptional cycle life without conventional separators.

13. Lithium-Sulfur Battery with High-Concentration Electrolyte and Solid-State Sulfur Cathode

OXIS ENERGY LTD, 2020

High energy lithium-sulfur battery with improved cycling performance and capacity compared to traditional lithium-sulfur batteries. The cell uses a liquid electrolyte with a high concentration of lithium salts (75% saturation or more) in combination with a solid-state cathode containing electroactive sulfur. The high salt concentration in the electrolyte prevents polysulfide shuttle and interfacial issues during cycling. The solid cathode mitigates volume changes and wetting issues. This allows using a concentrated electrolyte for improved performance. The cell can have low electrolyte volume and weight compared to traditional lithium-sulfur batteries.

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14. Rechargeable Battery with Nickel-Rich Cathode and Modified Anode for High-Temperature Stability

CUBERG INC, 2019

A stable high temperature rechargeable battery that can operate reliably above 70°C. The battery uses a unique electrode design and electrolyte composition to improve stability and performance at elevated temperatures. The electrode contains a nickel-rich cathode material and a modified anode material. The electrolyte is formulated with specific additives to enhance stability at high temperatures. This allows the battery to operate safely and reliably in harsh environments where conventional batteries fail.

15. Alkali Metal-Sulfur Battery with Sulfur-Carbon Hybrid Cathode in Elastic Polymer Matrix

NANOTEK INSTRUMENTS INC, 2019

Alkali metal-sulfur secondary battery with enhanced performance characteristics through novel cathode architectures. The battery comprises a lithium metal anode and a cathode comprising a sulfur-carbon hybrid material encapsulated within a high-performance elastic polymer matrix. The encapsulated sulfur-carbon hybrid material provides superior contact between the sulfur particles and the current collector, while the elastic polymer matrix prevents sulfur particle migration and ensures stable cell performance during charge/discharge cycles. The resulting battery achieves higher specific energy density (up to 600 Wh/kg) and improved cycle life compared to conventional lithium-sulfur batteries.

16. Rechargeable Lithium Metal-Sulfur Battery with Hybrid Sulfur-Composite Cathode and Elastic Polymer Encapsulation

NANOTEK INSTRUMENTS INC, 2019

Rechargeable lithium metal-sulfur batteries with enhanced performance characteristics. The battery incorporates a cathode layer containing sulfur-carbon hybrids, sulfur-graphite hybrids, sulfur-graphene hybrids, conductive polymer-sulfur hybrids, metal sulfides, or sulfur compounds, encapsulated within a thin layer of highly elastic polymer. This polymer-based encapsulation prevents the sulfur particles from dislodging during charging/discharging, while maintaining their electrochemical properties. The resulting cathode layer exhibits superior capacity retention compared to conventional sulfur-based cathodes, with lithium ion conductivity greater than 5S/cm and recoverable tensile elongation of at least 10%. The battery achieves cell-specific energy densities of 400-600 Wh/kg, surpassing current commercial standards.

17. Lithium Battery Electrolyte with Sulfonate-Based Additive for Conductivity and Stability

GUANGZHOU TINCI MATERIALS TECH CO LTD, 2019

Lithium secondary battery electrolyte with reduced impedance and enhanced safety features. The electrolyte contains a non-aqueous solvent, lithium salt, and a sulfonate-based additive that improves electrolyte conductivity while maintaining safety. The sulfonate additive is incorporated into the electrolyte composition at a concentration of 0.01-10% of the total electrolyte mass. This additive enables the electrolyte to exhibit lower internal resistance and enhanced thermal stability compared to traditional electrolytes, while maintaining the necessary safety characteristics.

18. Lithium-Sulfur Battery Electrodes with Organic Sulfur Species and Metal Organo-Sulfur Compound Integration

ARKEMA INC, 2019

Organic sulfur species and their lithium organo-sulfur compounds enhance the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries through improved electrode-electrolyte interactions. The organic sulfur compounds, which can be aromatic polysulfides, polyether-polysulfides, polysulfide-acid salts, or polysulfide-acid salts, form strong chemical bonds with metal ions in the electrodes, particularly in the anode. These sulfur species also facilitate the transfer of sulfur atoms between the cathode and anode during charge/discharge cycles, thereby preventing sulfur depletion. The sulfur species can be processed with metal ions to form metal organo-sulfur compounds, which enhance electrode performance.

19. Lithium-Sulfur Battery Cathode with Three-Dimensional Porous Carbon and Sulfur-Based Compound Network

CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES, 2019

A lithium-sulfur battery cathode material with enhanced stability and conductivity through a three-dimensional porous carbon structure. The material combines porous carbon with sulfur and a three-dimensional network of sulfur-based compounds, creating a unique electrode architecture that addresses the challenges of sulfur dissolution and internal resistance in lithium-sulfur batteries.

CN109411737A-patent-drawing

20. Electrolyte Composition with Functional Additive for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

HEFEI GUOXUAN HIGH TECH POWER ENERGY CO LTD, 2018

Lithium-sulfur battery electrolyte for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries that addresses the common issue of irreversible lithium sulfide formation during discharge. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent, with a functional additive that enables uniform mixing during preparation. The additive enhances the electrolyte's stability and prevents irreversible side reactions, resulting in improved battery performance.

CN108281700A-patent-drawing

21. Sulfur-Carbon Composite with Porous Carbon Matrix and Ion-Conductive Polymer Coating Layer

22. High-Concentration Ester Electrolyte with Enhanced Thermal Stability for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

23. Graphite-Coated Separator with Controlled Carbon Composition for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

24. Method for Manufacturing Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Using Functionalized Carbon Black Sponge Structure

25. Electrochemical Storage Device with Asymmetrical Electrode Capacity and Plated Anode Architecture

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