Summary Draft 1

The article "How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world." written by Lockett (2022), introduces the discovery of lithium-sulfur(Li-S) batteries and their benefits. The Li-S batteries are cheaper, use environmentally friendly materials, can potentially be three times lighter, and have a low chance of catching fire compared to lithium-ion(Li-I) batteries. However, Li-S batteries typically only have around 1000 charge cycles. Hence, there is a need to increase its charge cycles. According to the author, researchers find it challenging to increase the charge cycle of Li-S batteries by changing compounds in the battery’s cathode. “The uncontrolled dendritic and lithium growth, as well as electrolyte decomposition inherent in lithium metal-based batteries, cause safety issues and low Coulombic efficiency.” as observed by Li et al. (2015). This causes a shuttling effect on Li-S batteries due to the dissolution of lithium-polysulfides formed when the battery charges and discharges. However, the author stated that the researchers found a chemical phase of sulfur that prevented the batteries from degrading. “Here, we stabilize a rare monoclinic γ-sulfur phase within carbon nanofibers that enables successful operation of Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries in carbonate electrolyte for 4000 cycles(Rahul Pai, Arvinder Singh, Maureen H. Tang, & Vibha Kalra,2022).” Rahul et al. implied that with the introduction of gamma sulfur, they can stop the reaction that creates polysulfides. “which stabilizes to 800 mAh·g−1 in the first few cycles and then it remains stable with a small 0.0375% decay rate over 4000 cycles. The cells exhibit a high capacity of 650 mAh·g−1 even after the end of 4000 cycles.” Rahul et al. mentioned that the decay rate of the new Li-S batteries was almost negligible even after 4000 cycles. With this breakthrough in Li-S batteries, Lockett believed that Li-S batteries have the potential to revolutionize the world. In my opinion, Li-S batteries should replace Li-I batteries. They cause less ecological harm, are cheaper and lighter in weight. References: William Lockett. (April 2022) How an accidental discovery made this year could change the world. BigThink. https://bigthink.com/the-future/lithium-sulfur-batteries/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fs=e&s=cl&fbclid=IwAR1JQ-VrPK4Nt6YauDpwVZrmkeHE1jR0zfHdUdqe1wC5xr4XEabacCNVJLE#Echobox=1658939001-1 Weiyang Li, Hongbin Yao, Kai Yan, Guangyuan Zheng, Zheng Liang, Yet-Ming Chaing & Yi Cui. (June 2015). The synergetic effect of lithium polysulfide and lithium nitrate to prevent lithium dendrite growth. Nature Communications. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms8436 Rahul Pai, Arvinder Singh, Maureen H. Tang & Vibha Kalra, (February 2022). Stabilization of gamma sulfur at room temperature to enable use of carbonate electrolyte in Li-S batteries. Nature Communications. https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-022-00626-2?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_PRODUCT&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=PID100062364&CJEVENT=70ab9fddb82a11ec811f534d0a18050f