Review of Sulfur-Based Cathodes for High Performance Lithium Rechargeable Batteries

The preparation, characteristics and electrochemical performances of the sulfur-based cathode materials in lithium/sulfur batteries are reviewed in this paper. The elemental sulfur cathode material is briefly introduced. The structural designs, preparation processes, reaction mechanisms, and charge/discharge properties of organic sulfide, sulfur-porous carbon and sulfur-polymer composites as cathode materials are systematically discussed and problems associated with these materials are also analyzed. In addition, the research and application of lithium sulfides as cathode materials are also outlined. Finally, the further development of sulfur-based cathode materials and the commercialization of lithium/sulfur batteries are discussed.