Lithium-Sulfur Battery and Cathode Therefor

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This patent presents a lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery and a corresponding cathode design that utilizes a sulfur-containing plant-oil rubber (a composite from vulcanized plant oils such as rapeseed, sunflower, linseed, or olive oil with high sulfur content). This innovative cathode material is created by heating unsaturated plant oils with elemental sulfur to form a rubbery composite containing at least 20% sulfur by weight. The approach seeks to overcome the short cycle life and stability issues of conventional Li-S batteries, providing improved performance, longer lifespan, and potential for highly scalable, sustainable manufacturing using renewable resources.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) demanding high energy density and long cycle life.
• Energy storage solutions for renewable energy systems such as solar and wind power installations.
• Portable electronics (smartphones, laptops, tablets) benefiting from lighter, longer-lasting batteries.
• Grid-scale storage and backup power applications.
• Power sources for drones, robots, and other advanced mobility platforms.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly improved cycle stability and lifetime compared to conventional sulfur cathodes.
• Higher theoretical energy density than current lithium-ion batteries, enabling longer use between charges.
• Cost-effective production using abundantly available, renewable plant oils and elemental sulfur (a low-cost by-product).
• Environmentally friendly: reduces reliance on toxic or scarce materials, uses non-toxic and sustainable ingredients.
• Scalable and straightforward synthesis; suitable for large-scale battery manufacturing.
• Flexibility in material properties due to the choice of different plant oils, allowing tuning of performance.
• Reduced 'shuttle effect' and faster charge/discharge rates through the composite cathode structure.

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Patent Abstract

The aim of the invention is to improve the properties of lithium-sulfur batteries, in particular the cycle stability thereof. Said aim is achieved, according to the invention, in a first aspect, by a lithium-sulfur battery having a cathode, the material of which comprises a plant-oil rubber containing sulfur, wherein the sulfur content of the plant-oil rubber containing sulfur is at least 20 wt% with respect to the total weight of the plant-oil rubber containing sulfur.