Direct observation of lithium polysulfides in lithium–sulfur batteries using operando X-ray diffraction

In the on going quest towards lithium-battery chemistries beyond the lithium-ion technology, the lithium–sulfur system is emerging as one of the most promising candidates. The major outstanding challenge on the route to commercialization is controlling the so-called polysulfide shuttle, which is responsible for the poor cycling efficiency of the current generation of lithium–sulfur batteries. However, the mechanistic understanding of the...