(280b) Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance Enhancement through the Integration of Porous Liquid-Based Electrolytes: Insights into Improved Ion Mobility and Ionic Conductivity

Among the alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, the Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery emerges as a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage systems, owing to its potential for high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. However, several notable challenges hinder its widespread adoption. These include rapid capacity decay, limited cycle life, and the low conductivity of the electrolyte. This study aims to improve the performance and lithium transport conductivity of electrolytes in Li-S batteries using porous liquid-based electrolytes (PLEs) as a potential candidate. The physicochemical properties, solvation mechanism, transport characteristics, and electrical conductivity of lithium ions through PLEs were studied. It was found that PLEs can effectively enhance battery performance by the presence of PLEs’ empty, and permanent porosities. This enhancement can be attributed to the capability of coordinating and transporting Li⁺ ions with high mobility, and high solvation of Li⁺ ions by PLE, which facilitated the dissociation of Li⁺-TFSI^- ion pairs and the formation of complexes with Li⁺ ions with PLE. The results of this study indicate that the utilization of PLE can present a viable option for enhancing the physicochemical characteristics of electrolytes, thereby contributing to the advancement of Li-S batteries.