IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/nat/natcom/v16y2025i1d10.1038_s41467-025-60528-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Performance benchmarking and analysis of lithium-sulfur batteries for next-generation cell design

Author

Listed:
  • Saeed Yari

    (Institute for Materials Research (IMO-imomec), UHasselt, Martelarenlaan 42
    Energyville, Thor Park 8320
    IMEC Division IMOMEC)

  • Albin Conde Reis

    (Institute for Materials Research (IMO-imomec), UHasselt, Martelarenlaan 42
    Energyville, Thor Park 8320)

  • Quanquan Pang

    (Peking University)

  • Mohammadhosein Safari

    (Institute for Materials Research (IMO-imomec), UHasselt, Martelarenlaan 42
    Energyville, Thor Park 8320
    IMEC Division IMOMEC)

Abstract

Lithium-sulfur batteries are emerging as strong contenders in energy storage; however, a cohesive design framework, systematic performance analysis and benchmarks remain absent. This study bridges this gap by examining recent advancements, with a focus on functional sulfur host materials, using a data-driven approach. Through a meticulous literature review, we digitize 866 galvanostatic cycling and rate capability plots, along with the collection of key host material properties—such as specific surface area and polysulfide binding/adsorption energy—as well as essential cell design parameters including sulfur loading, electrode formulation, and electrolyte-to-sulfur ratios, to standardize performance using specific energy and power metrics. This approach enables us mapping field advancements and identify impactful research contributions. Additionally, irrespective of materials chemistry, a comprehensive analysis of this database helps us to disclose general patterns that apply universally across all cells, highlight the most constructive and detrimental regions of the design-parameter space, and perceive potential synergies. These insights outline key areas for optimization, guiding future development of practical lithium-sulfur battery technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Saeed Yari & Albin Conde Reis & Quanquan Pang & Mohammadhosein Safari, 2025. "Performance benchmarking and analysis of lithium-sulfur batteries for next-generation cell design," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60528-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60528-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60528-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1038/s41467-025-60528-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guangmin Zhou & Hao Chen & Yi Cui, 2022. "Formulating energy density for designing practical lithium–sulfur batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(4), pages 312-319, April.
    2. Quan Pang & Abhinandan Shyamsunder & Badri Narayanan & Chun Yuen Kwok & Larry A. Curtiss & Linda F. Nazar, 2018. "Tuning the electrolyte network structure to invoke quasi-solid state sulfur conversion and suppress lithium dendrite formation in Li–S batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(9), pages 783-791, September.
    3. Quan Pang & Xiao Liang & Chun Yuen Kwok & Linda F. Nazar, 2016. "Advances in lithium–sulfur batteries based on multifunctional cathodes and electrolytes," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(9), pages 1-11, September.
    4. Weijiang Xue & Zhe Shi & Liumin Suo & Chao Wang & Ziqiang Wang & Haozhe Wang & Kang Pyo So & Andrea Maurano & Daiwei Yu & Yuming Chen & Long Qie & Zhi Zhu & Guiyin Xu & Jing Kong & Ju Li, 2019. "Intercalation-conversion hybrid cathodes enabling Li–S full-cell architectures with jointly superior gravimetric and volumetric energy densities," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 374-382, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wanqing Song & Zhenzhuang Wen & Xin Wang & Kunyan Qian & Tao Zhang & Haozhi Wang & Jia Ding & Wenbin Hu, 2025. "Unsaturation degree of Fe single atom site manipulates polysulfide behavior in sodium-sulfur batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Chao Ye & Huan Li & Yujie Chen & Junnan Hao & Jiahao Liu & Jieqiong Shan & Shi-Zhang Qiao, 2024. "The role of electrocatalytic materials for developing post-lithium metal||sulfur batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Burke, Andrew F. & Zhao, Jingyuan, 2025. "Advanced Battery Technologies: Bus, Heavy-Duty Vocational Truck, and Construction Machinery Applications," Institute of Transportation Studies, Working Paper Series qt5zx1k22k, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis.
    4. Rong Gu & Da Zhang & Shengtao Xu & Xiaoyu Guo & Yuan Xiao & Zhimeng Sheng & Qunjie Xu & Jinting Xu & Sheng Zhu & Kexuan Liao & Shuaiqi Gong & Penghui Shi & YuLin Min, 2025. "Thermoresponsive ether-based electrolyte for wide temperature operating lithium metal batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Tang, Kejian & Peng, Xiangqi & Chen, Shuijiao & Song, Fei & Liu, Zhichao & Hu, Jian & Xie, Xiuqiang & Wu, Zhenjun, 2022. "Hierarchically porous carbon derived from delignified biomass for high sulfur-loading room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 832-840.
    6. Navinkumar, T.M. & Bharatiraja, C., 2025. "Sustainable hydrogen energy fuel cell electric vehicles: A critical review of system components and innovative development recommendations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    7. Byong-June Lee & Chen Zhao & Jeong-Hoon Yu & Tong-Hyun Kang & Hyean-Yeol Park & Joonhee Kang & Yongju Jung & Xiang Liu & Tianyi Li & Wenqian Xu & Xiao-Bing Zuo & Gui-Liang Xu & Khalil Amine & Jong-Sun, 2022. "Development of high-energy non-aqueous lithium-sulfur batteries via redox-active interlayer strategy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    8. Xue, Weijiang & Chen, Tianwu & Ren, Zhichu & Kim, So Yeon & Chen, Yuming & Zhang, Pengcheng & Zhang, Sulin & Li, Ju, 2020. "Molar-volume asymmetry enabled low-frequency mechanical energy harvesting in electrochemical cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    9. Ziyang Lu & Huijun Yang & Jianming Sun & Jun Okagaki & Yoongkee Choe & Eunjoo Yoo, 2024. "Conformational isomerism breaks the electrolyte solubility limit and stabilizes 4.9 V Ni-rich layered cathodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    10. Zheng Li & Harsha Rao & Rasha Atwi & Bhuvaneswari M. Sivakumar & Bharat Gwalani & Scott Gray & Kee Sung Han & Thomas A. Everett & Tanvi A. Ajantiwalay & Vijayakumar Murugesan & Nav Nidhi Rajput & Vila, 2023. "Non-polar ether-based electrolyte solutions for stable high-voltage non-aqueous lithium metal batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    11. Zhiyang Zheng & Xiongwei Zhong & Qi Zhang & Mengtian Zhang & Lixin Dai & Xiao Xiao & Jiahe Xu & Miaolun Jiao & Boran Wang & Hong Li & Yeyang Jia & Rui Mao & Guangmin Zhou, 2024. "An extended substrate screening strategy enabling a low lattice mismatch for highly reversible zinc anodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    12. Liu, Ying & Lee, Dong Jun & Ahn, Hyo-Jun & Nam, Sang Yong & Cho, Kwon-Koo & Ahn, Jou-Hyeon, 2023. "Waste coffee grounds-derived carbon: Nanoarchitectured pore-structure regulation for sustainable room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 865-874.
    13. Christian Prehal & Jean-Marc Mentlen & Sara Drvarič Talian & Alen Vizintin & Robert Dominko & Heinz Amenitsch & Lionel Porcar & Stefan A. Freunberger & Vanessa Wood, 2022. "On the nanoscale structural evolution of solid discharge products in lithium-sulfur batteries using operando scattering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    14. Guanjun Ji & Di Tang & Junxiong Wang & Zheng Liang & Haocheng Ji & Jun Ma & Zhaofeng Zhuang & Song Liu & Guangmin Zhou & Hui-Ming Cheng, 2024. "Sustainable upcycling of mixed spent cathodes to a high-voltage polyanionic cathode material," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    15. Zhiyuan Han & An Chen & Zejian Li & Mengtian Zhang & Zhilong Wang & Lixue Yang & Runhua Gao & Yeyang Jia & Guanjun Ji & Zhoujie Lao & Xiao Xiao & Kehao Tao & Jing Gao & Wei Lv & Tianshuai Wang & Jinji, 2024. "Machine learning-based design of electrocatalytic materials towards high-energy lithium||sulfur batteries development," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    16. Chengbin Jin & Yiyu Huang & Lanhang Li & Guoying Wei & Hongyan Li & Qiyao Shang & Zhijin Ju & Gongxun Lu & Jiale Zheng & Ouwei Sheng & Xinyong Tao, 2023. "A corrosion inhibiting layer to tackle the irreversible lithium loss in lithium metal batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    17. Shuangyan Lang & Seung-Ho Yu & Xinran Feng & Mihail R. Krumov & Héctor D. Abruña, 2022. "Understanding the lithium–sulfur battery redox reactions via operando confocal Raman microscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Xun Sun & Yue Qiu & Bo Jiang & Zhaoyu Chen & Chenghao Zhao & Hao Zhou & Li Yang & Lishuang Fan & Yu Zhang & Naiqing Zhang, 2023. "Isolated Fe-Co heteronuclear diatomic sites as efficient bifunctional catalysts for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    19. Ziqing Yao & Tianji Fu & Tao Pan & Chongyang Luo & Man Pang & Shizhao Xiong & Qingpeng Guo & Yujie Li & Shuangke Liu & Chunman Zheng & Weiwei Sun, 2025. "Dynamic doping and interphase stabilization for cobalt-free and high-voltage Lithium metal batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    20. Fu Liu & Wenqing Lu & Jiaqiang Huang & Vanessa Pimenta & Steven Boles & Rezan Demir-Cakan & Jean-Marie Tarascon, 2023. "Detangling electrolyte chemical dynamics in lithium sulfur batteries by operando monitoring with optical resonance combs," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60528-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.nature.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.