Challenges and advances on low-temperature rechargeable lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have demonstrated the potential to conquer the energy storage related market due to the extremely high energy density. However, their performances at low temperature are still needed to be improved to broaden their applications. Therefore, in this review, the basic failure mechanisms and major challenges of Li-S battery at low temperature are categorized as the high desolvation barrier of Li+, uncontrolled nucleation and deposition of lithium, polysulfides clustering, and passivation of cathode by film like Li2S. Targeting these major issues, strategies, and advances concerning the design of optimized electrolyte, composite cathode and functional separator are highlighted and discussed. Finally, the suggestions are proposed for the future development of practical Li-S battery working at low temperature scenarios, hoping to accelerate the commercialization process and bring revolution to the energy storage market.