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Beyond Lithium-Sulfur: All-Solid-State Lithium-Tellurium Batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have long been considered promising high-energy systems, yet their development has revealed intrinsic limitations associated with sulfur chemistry, reaction reversibility, and interfacial instability—challenges that become even more pronounced in solid-state configurations. These constraints motivate the exploration of battery chemistries beyond Li–S.
In this seminar, I will introduce all-solid-state lithium–tellurium (Li–Te) batteries as an emerging alternative, highlighting how tellurium offers distinct advantages, such as higher electronic and ionic conductivities, high volumetric energy density, and the potential to operate under low-pressure and low-temperature conditions. The talk will provide an overview of the motivations for transitioning from liquid to solid-state systems and for moving beyond Li–S chemistry, how Li–Te chemistry fundamentally differs from sulfur-based systems, and the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing Li–Te batteries in solid-state architectures. This perspective aims to outline a broader design framework for next-generation conversion-type all-solid-state batteries.

Biography

Dr. Borui Liu is currently a Research Associate Professor working on advanced lithium battery technologies, with a focus on lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. He received his PhD from the Australian National University and has held research positions at the Australian National University and the University of Sydney. His research interests include solid-state electrolytes, conversion-type cathodes, ion-transport mechanisms, and electrocatalysis in batteries. He is the recipient of an ARC DECRA Fellowship 2026 and will join the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University as a Chief Investigator in August 2026. His work has attracted 5,500 citations with an H-index of 22 (Google Scholar).