Chemical Confinement and Utility of Lithium Polysulfides in Lithium Sulfur Batteries

Abstract Lithium sulfur (Li–S) batteries featuring abundant resources and cost‐efficiency are regarded as a promising next‐generation energy storage system with high theoretical capacity and energy density. However, several drawbacks impede the development of Li–S batteries, especially the shuttle effects of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPS) which lead to severe capacity decay and short cycling lifespan. Though the existence of LiPS can result in performance decline and battery failure, the management of the LiPS should be balanced. This review focuses on both sides of the LiPS. One is the confinement of LiPS by chemical interactions between novel cathode hosts with LiPS, another is the utility of the LiPS in Li–S batteries with stable performance. Ultimately, the future developments and prospects of Li–S batteries are discussed.