Metal-based composite sulfur cathodes for lithium–sulfur electrochemical cells

Abstract Lithium–sulfur electrochemical cells have emerged as a promising next-generation energy-storage solution, offering high energy density, lightweight construction, and cost-effectiveness. This review explores innovative strategies to enhance their performance, systematically categorizing key research areas, critical materials, and their proportional focus in current studies. According to the analytical results, particular emphasis is placed on novel metal-based composite sulfur cathodes, which significantly improve conductivity, mitigate polysulfide loss, and stabilize the cathode for effectively addressing challenges such as capacity degradation and cycling instability. By integrating advanced materials and fabrication techniques, this review highlights the progress made, identifies remaining hurdles, and outlines the pathways toward the practical implementation of lithium–sulfur batteries in real-world applications.