Foundations, Design Strategies, and Further Considerations for High-Energy Al-S Batteries

Abstract Aluminum-sulfur (Al-S) batteries have emerged as promising contenders in high-energy battery systems, have attracted significant research interest over the past decade because of their distinctive attributes, such as high capacity, high energy density, abundance, enhanced safety, and cost effectiveness, and have been rapidly developed. However, this novel energy conversion system still faces considerable challenges fundamentally attributed to the sluggish conversion kinetics induced by the inherent high charge density of Al 3+ and to the severe shuttle effect. Increasing numbers of targeted strategies have significantly alleviated these issues. Nevertheless, an in-depth understanding and a systematic review to guide the enhancement of Al-S batteries are lacking. Hence, in this review, we first demonstrate the foundations of Al-S batteries, including their development history, fundamentals, crucial issues, and design principles. Subsequently, we present a comprehensive understanding and a discussion of the current strategies for different battery configurations. Finally, we offer some insights into crucial challenges and prospective solutions according to current developments, shedding some light on the future development of Al-S batteries. Graphical Abstract Aluminum-sulfur (Al-S) batteries are considered excellent candidates for future largescale energy storage technology because of their high capacity, high energy density, high safety, and low cost. This article reviews the key issues and challenges for Al-S batteries, providing a comprehensive summary and an analysis of the development strategies for each battery component. Finally, this article offers practical strategies for developing future high-performance conversion-type Al-S batteries, considering opportunities and directions for their development. 103