Addressing the Shuttle Effect in Thermal Batteries

Thermal batteries show potential for various applications but are affected by the shuttle effect, a common issue hindering their development. This effect leads to a gradual loss of battery capacity and reduced charging efficiency over time.

Understanding the Shuttle Effect

The shuttle effect occurs when intermediate polysulfides within the batteries dissolve. This dissolution results in an irreversible loss of sulfur, which contributes to the decay of battery performance and a decrease in charging efficiency.

This dissolution results in an irreversible loss of sulfur, which contributes to the decay of battery performance and a decrease in charging efficiency.

Previous Mitigation Efforts

Previous efforts to mitigate the shuttle effect have included the addition of different types of sulfur electrodes.

A Novel Cathode Material

New research from scientists in China, published in Advanced Science, proposes a different approach. This research introduces a novel cathode material designed to overcome the shuttle effect. The novel material aims to increase battery performance and reduce the capacity loss associated with the shuttle effect, potentially facilitating the design of future high-density thermal batteries.