Myriad problems with state of the art
lithium based batteries, particularly
electrolyte systems thereof, including but not limited to
polysulfide shuttling, formation of
lithium dendrites and dead
lithium during stripping and plating,
thermal runaway, volumetric expansion, and strict requirements for
electrolyte composition, are well documented in the art and remain major obstacles to realizing the unsurpassed potential for lithium-based batteries as ideal
energy storage solutions. The inventive concepts presented herein address said challenges from a multi-pronged approach, revolutionizing the
electrolyte system from different approaches to produce synergistic benefits, both within the individual approaches and particularly in combination. The inventive concepts improve electrolyte systems with respect to solvents,
electron withdrawing compounds, lithium
ion-transporting compounds, performance enhancing additives and chalcogenides. These developments provide benefits including: improved charge /
discharge capacity, Coulombic efficiency, cycle life,
sulfur optimization, oxidative stability, etc. while reducing
polysulfide shuttling and
lithium dendrite formation, among other benefits.