Drexel University chemical engineers create a new Li-S battery that outperforms rival Batteries.

A group of Drexel University chemical engineers have found a way to introduce sulfur into lithium-ion batteries which has improved the capabilities of the battery. The discovery is a new way of producing and stabilizing a rare form of sulfur that functions in carbonate electrolyte, which is the electrolyte gel used in commercial Li-ion batteries. This development would not only make sulfur batteries commercially viable, but they would have three times the capacity of Li-ion batteries and last more than 4,000 recharges. Previous versions of the Li-S batteries have already been shown to have improved performance in experimental settings using an ether electrolyte, rather than using the traditional carbonate. But these batteries are not be commercially viable. Replacing the cathode in Li-ion batteries with a sulfur one would alleviate the need for sourcing cobalt, nickel and manganese, which are toxic.