Achieving reversible electrochemistry under lean electrolyte operation is key to moving LiS chemistry to potentially transformational performance.¹ The use of electrolytes that are sparingly solvating to Li polysulfide intermediates is a promising approach to decouple electrolyte volume from reaction mechanism, thus creating a pathway towards high energy density LiS batteries that deviates from the current catholyte approach.²In this work, we discuss the design rules for sparingly solvating electrolytes and the unique electrochemistry that arises through the use of this class of electrolytes.

¹D. Eroglu, K. R. Zavadil and K. G. Gallagher, J. Electrochem. Soc., 2015, 162, A982.

²L. Cheng, L. A. Curtiss, K. R. Zavadil, A. A. Gewirth, Y. Shao and K. G. Gallagher, ACS Energy Lett., 2016, 1, 503.