Researchers unveil fast-charging lithium-sulfur battery

Monash University engineers have developed an ultrafast-charging lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, capable of powering long-haul EVs and commercial drones.

With rapid charging times, the lightweight Li-S batteries could soon power drones, with electric aircraft a future possibility. Researchers aim to demonstrate the technology in commercial drones and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) within a year.

The breakthrough research, a decade in the making and published in Advanced Energy Materials, marks a transformative step in renewable battery technology and sets a new benchmark for practical lithium-sulfur prototypes.

The paper’s first author, Maleesha Nishshanke, a PhD candidate at the Monash Nanoscale Science and Engineering Lab (NSEL) said the novel batteries doubled the energy density of conventional lithium-ion batteries and were much lighter.

“Inspired by the chemistry of betadine, a common household antiseptic, we found a way to accelerate the charge and discharge rates, making them a viable battery option for real-world heavy-duty use,” Nishshanke said.

Co-lead author of the paper Dr Petar Jovanović believes the Li-S batteries could power commercial drones while bringing the vision of high-performance, sustainable electric aviation closer to reality.

“This represents a major breakthrough toward making Li-S a feasible option not just for long-haul EVs but particularly in industries like aviation and maritime that require rapid, reliable power that is crucially light-weighted,” Jovanović said.

In an electric car, the Li-S batteries could power an extra 1000 kilometres on a single charge while cutting recharge time to a few hours.

“Imagine an electric vehicle that can travel from Melbourne to Sydney on a single charge or a smartphone that charges in minutes — we’re on the cusp of making this a reality,” Jovanović said.

The co-lead researcher and Director of the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials, Professor Mainak Majumder, said Li-S technology typically struggled to maintain high performance without degrading quickly, but this game-changing battery could handle a lot of power being taken out at once without breaking down. The batteries are cheaper and store more energy.

“We’ve leveraged sulfur’s unique chemistry to make a battery that’s both safer and more efficient. With our new catalyst, we’ve overcome one of the last remaining barriers to commercialisation – charging speed,” Majumder said.

“Our catalyst has significantly enhanced the C-rate performance of Li-S batteries, demonstrated in early proof-of-concept prototype cells. With commercial scaling and larger cell production, this technology could deliver energy densities up to 400 Wh/kg.”

“This makes it well-suited for applications requiring dynamic performance, such as aviation, where batteries must handle high C-rates during take-off and efficiently switch to low C-rates during cruising.”

Li-S batteries are also a greener alternative to the materials used in traditional Li-ion batteries, which rely on limited and often environmentally harmful resources like cobalt.

With the global lithium-sulfur battery market expected to be worth US$209 million by 2028, Majumder said Monash’s pioneering work could place Australia at the forefront of a rapidly expanding industry.

“This emerging industry has the potential to create jobs, drive economic growth and establish Australia as a key player in the market,” Majumder said.

“As demands for high-performance batteries soars, investment in cutting-edge technology will have long-term benefits for job creation and economic growth.”

Ghove Energy is currently raising pre-seed funding, inviting investors to join the venture.

The research team continues to innovate — currently they’re refining new additives that promise to speed up both charging and discharging times even more, along with methods that reduce the amount of lithium needed.

Majumder said the research was supported by the US Air Force Office of Sponsored Research and is a testament to the international recognition of the deep expertise of the Monash team.

Image credit: iStock.com/Thitichaya Yajampa