Application of transition metal compounds in cathode materials for lithium-sulfur battery

The lithium-sulfur battery has high theoretical specific capacity (1675 mAh g−1) and energy density (2567 Wh kg−1), and is considered to be one of the most promising high-energy–density storage battery systems. However, the polysulfides produced during the charging and discharging process of the lithium-sulfur battery will migrate back and forth between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery causing a “shuttle effect,” which leads to the decline of the battery’s cycle stability and reduction of the utilization rate of active substances. Transition metal compounds are common materials and have always played an active role in the capture and catalysis of polysulfides. This paper reviews the recent progress of research on modifying cathode materials by introducing transition metal compounds into lithium-sulfur battery and discusses the future development.