Coordination materials for metal-sulfur batteries

This chapter focuses on the current state of research on metal-sulfur (M-S) batteries, their advantages, disadvantages, and future requirements. Moreover, it deals with the mechanism of generating electrical energy, which originates from the chemical reaction between metal atoms and sulfur molecules. It describes properties such as the maximum achieved capacities at different C-rates depending on the metals used: Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Al. One of the main problems with sulfur batteries is the volumetric expansion during cycling, which needs to be regulated. The main challenge of metal-S-type batteries is the dissolution of polysulfides and their transfer between the electrodes. Another problem with M-S batteries is the passivation of the cathode by uncontrollable aggregation of insulation discharge products. In order to prevent the aforementioned disadvantages, various additives are used in the construction of electrodes for the effective encapsulation of sulfur and polysulfides. The chapter describes various coordination materials based on carbon materials, metal-organic frameworks, MXenes, organic polymers, and ecological materials, which are used to eliminate undesirable effects and increase the efficiency of M-S batteries.