Lithium Sulfur Batteries Summary Reader Response Draft 1

The article "How an accidental discovery could change the world" by Lockett (2022, April 15) explains that an accidental discovery of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries could change the way we power the world. Scientists have been sourcing for the perfect technology to power everything in our modern lifestyles, from your phones, electrical cars, and even satellites. The go-to solution has always been lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Lockett's article states that Li-ion batteries have degradation issues. Li-ion batteries can lose their capacity via repetitive charges and is most notably in electrical vehicles(EVs) and cell phones. On the other hand, Li-S batteries are able to stop battery degradation by entering a chemical phase called monoclinic gamma-phase sulfur. In this state, it stops polysulfides; crystals that form from repetitive charging which causes the loss of capacity, from forming. Without polysulfides, the batteries can last up to 4000 charges without a drop in capacity, twice as long compared to Li-ion batteries. However, this state has only been observed in the labs at high temperatures (95°C), hence more research has to be done. With longer lifespan batteries, EVs will become more efficient and commercially available and we can possibly go full electric in the near future. Lithium-sulfur batteries could be the solution to powering our modern lifestyles in the future. They can replace Li-ion batteries as they last longer, are environmentally friendly ,and are cheaper to produce. 

On average, Li-ion batteries last about 300-500 charges before losing their capacity to store their charge (Choose Solar, 2022). These batteries start to degrade the moment it's used due to chemical reactions in the battery. When a battery is charged, ions stored in the cathode move into the anode via the electrolyte. While charging, these ions move about in the electrodes, which can cause structural disorder, hence depleting battery capacity (Browning, Jan 2021). However, Li-S batteries can enter a rare monoclinic gamma phase where the capacity is relatively stable and decreases at 0.0375% over 4000 cycles (Pai, Singh, Tang, Karla, 2022). At the end of the 4000 cycles, the cells continue to exhibit a high capacity of 640mAh.g-1.If developed, Li-S batteries can revolutionize the field of batteries (Rahul et al., 2022). 

Lithium-ion batteries are not only used to power our laptops and smartphones, they play an important role in powering our electricity as renewable sources like solar and wind energy is unable to keep up with our usage. They will also be essential for us to power electrical vehicles (EVs) in the future (Nature, 2021). Demands for these batteries continue to grow as it is famous for powering EVs, which are projected to account for 60% of car sales by 2030. The Tesla Model S, an EV uses up to 12kg of lithium. Mining for lithium can be damaging to the environment (Campbell, Sept 2022). The common effects are water loss, ground destabilization, biodiversity loss, damage to the ecosystem and, an increase in global warming. Around 21 million liters of water are used to produce lithium through evaporation ponds. Approximately 2.2 liters of water are used to produce 1 ton(approximately 907kg) of lithium. Keeping batteries clean, safe and sustainable is key to Earth's low-carbon future (Nature, 2021). As Li-S batteries are able to maintain their capacity for a longer period of time, the need for lithium batteries will be reduced and the production of batteries will be reduced significantly, therefore reducing the damage done to the environment.

The rising sales of EVs have increased the prices of battery ingredients such as nickel, cobalt ,and lithium (Desai, 2021). Sulfur is one of Earth's most abundant elements and it can be found around the world near volcanic vents (Lori, June 2018) Being a waste product of petrol refinement, it is abundant and cheap (Barry, Sept 2022). Most crude oil grades contain sulfur, which is removed during the refining process to meet strict sulfur content limits (Sulfur (product), n.d). 

One of the challenges faced in integrating sulfur into a lithium battery is the irreversible chemical reaction between intermediate sulfur products called polysulfides and carbonate electrolytes. This reaction causes complete battery failure after one cycle when attempting to use sulfur cathode in a battery (Faulstick, Feb 2022). However, the rare monoclinic gamma-sulfur phase enables the successful operation of Li-S batteries in carbonate electrolytes as it prevents polysulfides from forming (Rahul et al., 2022). 

In conclusion, Li-S battery is efficient in terms of charge cycles, cheaper are more environmentally friendly to produce. As EVs sales are rising, the era of going full electrical is drawing closer. Therefore, there is a need to implement more efficient batteries in the future. Even though Li-S batteries are unable to be commercially used due to their lower charge cycles, scientists are researching ways to prevent degradation. Therefore, Li-S batteries have the potential to replace Li-ion batteries due to their capabilities.

References 

Lockett,W (April 2022) An accidental discovery could change the world. Freethink

https://www.freethink.com/environment/lithium-sulfur-battery

Choose Solar (2022) What Is The Typical Lifespan Of Lithium-Ion Battery?

https://www.choosesolar.com.au/typical-lifespan-lithium-ion-battery/

Browning,B (Jan, 2021) Why do lithium-ion batteries degrade over time? . airqualitynews

https://airqualitynews.com/2021/01/12/why-do-lithium-ion-batteries-degrade-over-time/

Rahul Pai, Arvinder Singh, Maureen H. Tang & Vibha Kalra (Feb 2022) Stabilization of gamma sulfur at room temperature to enable the use of carbonate electrolyte in Li-s batteries

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-022-00626-2

nature (June,2021) Lithium-ion batteries need to be greener and more ethical

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01735-z

Campell, M (Sept, 2022) In pictures: South America's 'lithium fields' reveal the dark side of our electric future . euronews.green

https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/02/01/south-america-s-lithium-fields-reveal-the-dark-side-of-our-electric-future

Desai P (Feb, 2022) Explainer: Costs of nickel and cobalt used in electric vehicle batteries .Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/costs-nickel-cobalt-used-electric-vehicle-batteries-2022-02-03/

Lori E, USGS Mineral Commodities Team (June 2018) Mineral Resource of the Month: Sulfur .earthmagazine

https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/mineral-resource-month-sulfur/

Barry, S (Sept,2022) Battery breakthrough: Scientists invent cheap aluminium-sulphur alternative to lithium-ion batteries. euronews.green

https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/08/29/battery-breakthrough-scientists-invent-cheap-aluminium-sulphur-alternative-to-lithium-ion-

Faulstick B (Feb, 2022) Breakthrough in Cathode Chemistry Clears Path for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries' Commercial Viability. DrexelNEWS

https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2022/february/lithium-sulfur-cathode-carbonate-electrolyte