Review on Multi-Functional Separator for Li-S Batteries

Because lithium-ion batteries cannot meet increasing demand for power density, lithium metal batteries are expected as the next generation of rechargeable batteries. As one of lithium metal batteries, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted extensive attention because of their ultrahigh power density (2600 Wh kg⁻¹) and low cost of sulfur. In order to overcome problems of active material loss, volume expansion and dendritic growth of Li metal in Li-S batteries, researchers have adopted several methods such as adding electrolyte additives, electrode modification and separator modification. Among them, separator modification shows significant advantages in inhibiting the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides. This paper reviews research progress of inhibiting the shuttle effect of Li-S batteries by the means of the separator modification in recent years, including direct design of new type of separator and physical/chemical modification of separator surface. Through extensive reading and summarizing of the research results of the separator modification of Li-S batteries, we give the possible development direction of Li-S batteries at the end of the paper.