By Muhammad OsamaReviewed by Lexie CornerMar 28 2025A recent study published in Advanced Science explores a new strategy to improve lithium-sulfur battery (LSB) performance under low-temperature conditions.
Researchers developed a composite material made from bismuth(III) oxide (Bi2O3) embedded in reduced graphene oxide (rGO)—forming an island-like structure that enhances lithium polysulfide (LiPS) conversion and controls lithium sulfide (Li2S) accumulation. The goal: to increase LSB efficiency and stability in extreme environments.
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Background: Challenges in LSB Technology
Lithium-sulfur batteries are known for their high theoretical energy density (approximately 2600 Wh kg-1) and the low cost and abundance of sulfur. However, they face several technical barriers:
- Poor conductivity of sulfur
- Large volume expansion during cycling
- The “shuttle effect” from soluble LiPSs
- Reduced performance at low temperatures, where LiPS solubility drops, reaction kinetics slow, and internal resistance increases
These challenges limit the commercial use of LSBs, especially in cold climates or high-demand applications.
The Research: Designing a Better Cathode Material
The authors developed a cathode modification strategy to enhance the performance of LSBs at ultra-low temperatures, specifically down to -60 °C.
They synthesized an island-like Bi2O3/rGO composite (IBG) by embedding microspherical Bi2O3 particles into rGO. This unique structure increased the contact area between the electrode and electrolyte, improving lithium-ion transport and catalytic activity toward LiPSs.
The researchers conducted electrochemical tests to evaluate IBG's performance, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and capacity retention studies across various temperatures.
Adsorption experiments, supported by ultraviolet (UV) visible spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, assessed the interaction between IBG and LiPSs, providing insights into adsorption energies and reaction pathways.
Structural characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the morphology and distribution of Bi2O3 in the rGO matrix.
Key Findings and Insights: Improved Performance at Low Temperatures
The IBG-based cathode significantly outperformed conventional materials, even in extreme cold:
- At room temperature, IBG-based batteries achieved a discharge capacity of 597 mAh g-1 and maintained a high current density of 5 C.
- At -20 °C, the capacity remained around 900 mAh g-1, demonstrating IBG's role in facilitating LiPS conversion and preventing Li2S accumulation.
- At -60 °C, the battery achieved a discharge capacity of 400 mAh g-1, marking a significant advancement for LSB technology.
A key finding was the distinct Li2S deposition observed on the IBG cathode. Li2S nucleation followed a progressive mode with fewer nuclei, which helped regulate the deposition process and improved charge-discharge efficiency. This controlled growth pattern prevented the excessive buildup of Li2S that often limits LSB performance.
The IBG composite also showed a catalytic effect on LiPS conversion, primarily accelerating the transformation of Li2S8 to Li2S4—a crucial step in the redox process.
Electrochemical impedance measurements revealed that IBG electrodes had lower interfacial and charge transfer resistance than conventional materials. This improvement was attributed to the conductive network of rGO and the catalytic activity of Bi2O3.
This morphology enabled precise catalytic conversion of LiPSs, preventing Li2S accumulation and enhancing battery performance. The system achieved nearly 100 % Coulombic efficiency, indicating excellent reversibility across charge-discharge cycles.
Additionally, IBG demonstrated strong adsorption capacity for soluble LiPSs, helping to suppress the shuttle effect and stabilize long-term cycling. Its structural features reinforced the progressive nucleation of Li₂S, ensuring controlled deposition and consistent electrochemical performance, especially at low temperatures.
DFT analysis further confirmed that IBG lowered the energy barriers for LiPS conversion, resulting in faster reaction kinetics and superior activity than Bi2O3 and rGO used alone.
Potential Implications in Energy Storage
This research presents important advancements for lithium-sulfur battery technology, especially in scenarios requiring consistent performance under extreme conditions.
The ability of IBG-based LSBs to retain high capacity and efficiency at low temperatures opens new opportunities for applications such as electric vehicles, portable electronics, and grid-scale energy storage systems operating in cold or unstable climates.
These results also contribute to the broader understanding of cathode material design, emphasizing how Li2S deposition behavior and catalytic activity can influence performance.
Beyond terrestrial applications, the stability and reliability demonstrated by this system suggest strong potential for use in space exploration and other environments where traditional battery technologies often fail.
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Conclusion and Future Directions
The island-like Bi2O3/rGO composite effectively addressed key low-temperature challenges in LSBs. This novel composite material significantly improved electrochemical performance and cycling stability by enhancing LiPS adsorption, reducing reaction energy barriers, and controlling Li2S deposition.
These findings provide valuable insights into advanced cathode material design and optimization strategies, paving the way for more efficient and reliable LSBs in extreme environments.
Looking ahead, further work should focus on refining the synthesis of the IBG composite to improve structural uniformity and mechanical robustness. Investigating the integration of other conductive materials or additional catalytic components may offer further gains in performance.
Evaluating long-term cycling durability and scaling up the system for commercial use will also be essential for translating this research into real-world applications.
Journal Reference
Xiong, H, J., et al. (2025). Overcoming the Low-Temperature Barrier: Controlling Li₂S Deposition and Enhancing Catalysis in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Using Island-like Bi₂O₃ on rGO. Advanced Science. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202502045, https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202502045
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