Innovative Lithium-Sulfur Battery Technology
Zeta Energy and Huntsman Corporation have achieved a significant breakthrough in battery technology by developing an advanced lithium-sulfur battery that does not require copper or aluminum as current collectors. This development aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy and the World Materials Forum’s classification of copper as a critical material, highlighting its significance in energy technologies and potential supply chain risks.
Elimination of Critical Materials
Zeta Energy’s lithium-sulfur batteries had previously phased out the use of nickel, graphite, manganese, and cobalt, which are identified as critical materials with socio-political challenges and supply volatility. The collaboration between Zeta Energy and Huntsman marks a substantial advancement in creating sustainable battery solutions.
Increased Energy Density with Carbon-Based Collectors
The new lithium-sulfur battery technology utilizes carbon-based current collectors instead of traditional metal foils. This innovation not only reduces the weight of the battery cells but also enhances energy density. Zeta Energy plans to initially use these copper-free batteries for specialized applications, with potential future developments towards entirely metal-free batteries.
Technical Insights from Zeta Energy
Abdul Raji, Chief Technology Officer at Zeta Energy, explained the technical process involved: “On the anode side, we grow vertically aligned carbon nanotubes without a metal current collector and deposit lithium over and between these nanotubes. Similarly, we can make the sulfurized carbon cathode without a metal collector.” 
