Hybrid Cathodes Could Boost Energy Capacity of Lithium Batteries

Today's lithium-ion batteries use cathodes (one of the two electrodes in a battery) made of a transition metal oxide. Batteries with cathodes made of sulfur are considered a promising alternative to reduce weight. Designers of lithium-sulfur batteries face a tradeoff. The cathodes of such batteries are usually made in one of two ways: intercalation or conversion. Intercalation types — which use compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide — provide a high volumetric energy density, packing a lot of punch per volume because of their high densities. These cathodes can maintain their structure and dimensions while incorporating lithium atoms into their crystalline structure.