Breakthrough for battery production with sulphur cathodes

Electromobility and portable electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones are unthinkable without the use of lithium-ion batteries. The problem: highly toxic materials such as cobalt are often used for the cathodes of these batteries, which endanger the environment and the health of people in the countries where they are mined. In addition, the reserves of these metals are very limited.

Sustainable and powerful with sulphur

A research team at Humboldt-Universitt zu Berlin (HU) has now achieved a decisive breakthrough in battery technology. The team, led by Michael J. Bojdys, has developed a high-performance sulphur-based cathode. Sulphur is a sustainable alternative to the materials commonly used in lithium-ion batteries because it is less toxic and – unlike cobalt – abundant. However, the storage capacity of batteries in which sulphur is used as a cathode material has so far quickly diminished. The researchers have now been able to solve this problem. The results of the study have been published in the renowned journal Angewandte Chemie.

“Our development paves the way for sulphur electrodes as a viable alternative to conventional metal-based cathodes. It could fundamentally change the way we store and use energy and represents an important step towards a more sustainable future,” explains Bojdys.

Solving the sulphur shuttle problem using polymer chemistry

In the case of sulphur-based cathodes, the mobility of the sulphur has so far led to degradation of the battery – an effect known as the shuttle mechanism. In the newly developed solution, the sulphur is encapsulated in a special microporous polymer network so that the sulphur particles are retained. This battery technology not only increases the performance and service life of batteries, but also avoids the problem of scarce resources.

Michael J. Bojdys is an expert in sustainable energy materials and, as part of the GreenCHEM funding initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is helping to transform the chemical industry in the Berlin capital region into a circular economy based on sustainable raw materials by linking science and industry.