Towards Li–S microbatteries: A perspective review

The demand for high-energy and power-dense microbatteries is growing rapidly in the microelectronics and wireless devices industry. Lithium-sulfur (Li–S) electrochemical cells are a promising option for microbatteries due to their high capacity and other advantages, but their application is limited. This comprehensive review focuses on S-based microbatteries and recent developments on micro- and nanostructured electrodes suitable for microbattery use. The review primarily covers micro-sized batteries with sulfur compound cathodes coupled with both liquid and solid electrolytes. Solid-state electrolyte microbatteries have exhibited superior performance, offering excellent stability with inorganic electrolytes during long cycling and high-energy densities with composite electrolytes. The review discusses the challenges and properties of interfaces in battery design with geometries close to micro sizes and potential adaptability to them. Additionally, the review includes information on Li–S nanobatteries tests and relevant findings for advanced Li–S microbattery design. Informative tables and figures present data on the design and performance of both current and future Li–S microbatteries, making this review an invaluable resource for the development of Li–S microbatteries. As the demand for microbatteries continues to rise, Li–S microbatteries hold great potential as candidates for micro energy storage.