Advancing lithium-sulfur batteries using layered double hydroxide (LDH) -based nanocomposites: Progress, performance, challenges, and future prospects for energy storage

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries hold great promise for next-generation energy storage system owing to the high theoretical energy density of sulfur. However, there are some existing issues such as the polysulfide shuttle effect, poor electrical conductivity of sulfur, and considerable volume changes during cycling which has remined as the significant challenges. This review analyzes the multifaceted role of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) to overcome these challenges by serving not only as sulfur-hosting matrices but also as polysulfide-trapping separator coatings and electrolyte additives. This review highlights that LDHs has combined physical confinement and chemical binding to effectively suppress polysulfide dissolution and migration, while their integration with conductive materials significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of sulfur. Additionally, this review elucidates the design of LDH architectures that accommodate volume changes, thereby improving the electrode stability and cycling life. Finally, a strategic roadmap for advancing LDH-based materials as scalable, economically viable, and practical Li-S battery applications is proposed, that has addressed the current gaps and future research directions.