Ionic Liquid Electrolyte with Weak Solvating Molecule Regulation for Stable Li Deposition in High-Performance Li−O2 Batteries

Li−O₂ batteries with bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide-based ionic liquid (TFSI-IL) electrolyte are promising because TFSI-IL can stabilize O₂⁻ to lower charge overpotential. However, slow Li⁺ transport in TFSI-IL electrolyte causes inferior Li deposition. Here we optimize weak solvating molecule (anisole) to generate anisole-doped ionic aggregate in TFSI-IL electrolyte. Such unique solvation environment can realize not only high Li⁺ transport parameters but also anion-derived solid electrolyte interface (SEI). Thus, fast Li⁺ transport is achieved in electrolyte bulk and SEI simultaneously, leading to robust Li deposition with high rate capability (3 mA cm⁻²) and long cycle life (2000 h at 0.2 mA cm⁻²). Moreover, Li−O₂ batteries show good cycling stability (a small overpotential increase of 0.16 V after 120 cycles) and high rate capability (1 A g⁻¹). This work provides an effective electrolyte design principle to realize stable Li deposition and high-performance Li−O₂ batteries.     

Dendrite‐Free Epitaxial Growth of Lithium Metal during Charging in Li–O2 Batteries

Lithium (Li) dendrite formation is one of the major hurdles limiting the development of Li‐metal batteries, including Li‐O₂ batteries. Herein, we report the first observation of the dendrite‐free epitaxial growth of a Li metal up to 10‐μm thick during charging (plating) in the LiBr‐LiNO₃ dual anion electrolyte under O₂ atmosphere. This phenomenon is due to the formation of an ultrathin and homogeneous Li₂O‐rich solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer in the preceding discharge (stripping) process, where the corrosive nature of Br^? seems to give rise to remove the original incompact passivation layer and NO₃^? oxidizes (passivates) the freshly formed Li surface to prevent further reactions with the electrolyte. Such reactions keep the SEI thin (<100 nm) and facilitates the electropolishing effect and gets ready for the epitaxial electroplating of Li in the following charge process.     

Lithium Nitrate Regulated Sulfone Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Batteries

The electrolytes in lithium metal batteries have to be compatible with both lithium metal anodes and high voltage cathodes, and can be regulated by manipulating the solvation structure. Herein, to enhance the electrolyte stability, lithium nitrate (LiNO₃) and 1,1,2,2-tetrafuoroethyl-2′,2′,2′-trifuoroethyl(HFE) are introduced into the high-concentration sulfolane electrolyte to suppress Li dendrite growth and achieve a high Coulombic efficiency of >99 % for both the Li anode and LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ (NMC811) cathodes. Molecular dynamics simulations show that NO₃⁻ participates in the solvation sheath of lithium ions enabling more bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion (TFSI⁻) to coordinate with Li⁺ ions. Therefore, a robust LiN_xO_y−LiF-rich solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is formed on the Li surface, suppressing Li dendrite growth. The LiNO₃-containing sulfolane electrolyte can also support the highly aggressive LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ (NMC811) cathode, delivering a discharge capacity of 190.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 C for 200 cycles with a capacity retention rate of 99.5 %.     

A Sustainable Solid Electrolyte Interphase for High-Energy-Density Lithium Metal Batteries Under Practical Conditions

High-energy-density Li metal batteries suffer from a short lifespan under practical conditions, such as limited lithium, high loading cathode, and lean electrolytes, owing to the absence of appropriate solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, a sustainable SEI was designed rationally by combining fluorinated co-solvents with sustained-release additives for practical challenges. The intrinsic uniformity of SEI and the constant supplements of building blocks of SEI jointly afford to sustainable SEI. Specific spatial distributions and abundant heterogeneous grain boundaries of LiF, LiN_xO_y, and Li₂O effectively regulate uniformity of Li deposition. In a Li metal battery with an ultrathin Li anode (33 μm), a high-loading LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ cathode (4.4 mAh cm⁻²), and lean electrolytes (6.1 g Ah⁻¹), 83 % of initial capacity retains after 150 cycles. A pouch cell (3.5 Ah) demonstrated a specific energy of 340 Wh kg⁻¹ for 60 cycles with lean electrolytes (2.3 g Ah⁻¹).     

Reconstruction of Solid Electrolyte Interphase with SrI2 Reactivates Dead Li for Durable Anode-Free Li-Metal Batteries

Without excess Li, anode-free Li-metal batteries (AFLMBs) have been proposed as the most likely solution to realizing highly-safe and cost-effective Li-metal batteries. Nevertheless, short cyclic life puzzles conventional AFLMBs due to anodic dead Li accumulation with a local current concentration induced by irreversible electrolyte depletion, insufficient active Li reservoir and slow Li⁺ transfer at the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, SrI₂ is introduced into carbon paper (CP) current collector to effectively suppress dead Li through synergistic mechanisms including reversible I⁻/I₃⁻ redox reaction to reactivate dead Li, dielectric SEI surface with SrF₂ and LiF to prevent electrolyte decomposition and highly ionic conductive (3.488 mS cm⁻¹) inner layer of SEI with abundant LiI to enable efficient Li⁺ transfer inside. With the SrI₂-modified current collector, the NCM532/CP cell delivers unprecedented cyclic performances with a capacity of 129.2 mAh g⁻¹ after 200 cycles.     

A Sustainable Solid Electrolyte Interphase for High‐Energy‐Density Lithium Metal Batteries Under Practical Conditions

High‐energy‐density Li metal batteries suffer from a short lifespan under practical conditions, such as limited lithium, high loading cathode, and lean electrolytes, owing to the absence of appropriate solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Herein, a sustainable SEI was designed rationally by combining fluorinated co‐solvents with sustained‐release additives for practical challenges. The intrinsic uniformity of SEI and the constant supplements of building blocks of SEI jointly afford to sustainable SEI. Specific spatial distributions and abundant heterogeneous grain boundaries of LiF, LiN_xO_y, and Li₂O effectively regulate uniformity of Li deposition. In a Li metal battery with an ultrathin Li anode (33 μm), a high‐loading LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ cathode (4.4 mAh cm^?2), and lean electrolytes (6.1 g Ah^?1), 83 % of initial capacity retains after 150 cycles. A pouch cell (3.5 Ah) demonstrated a specific energy of 340 Wh kg^?1 for 60 cycles with lean electrolytes (2.3 g Ah^?1).     

Effects of current densities on the formation of LiCoO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/graphite lithium ion battery

The activation characteristics and the effects of current densities on the formation of a separate LiCoO₂ and graphite electrode were investigated and the behavior also was compared with that of the full LiCoO₂/graphite batteries using various electrochemical techniques. The results showed that the formation current densities obviously influenced the electrochemical impedance spectrum of Li/graphite, LiCoO₂/Li, and LiCoO₂/graphite cells. The electrolyte was reduced on the surface of graphite anode between 2.5 and 3.6 V to form a preliminary solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film of anode during the formation of the LiCoO₂/graphite batteries. The electrolyte was oxidized from 3.95 V vs Li⁺/Li on the surface of LiCoO₂ to form a SEI film of cathode. A highly conducting SEI film could be formed gradually on the surface of graphite anode, whereas the SEI film of LiCoO₂ cathode had high resistance. The LiCoO₂ cathode could be activated completely at the first cycle, while the activation of the graphite anode needed several cycles. The columbic efficiency of the first cycle increased, but that of the second decreased with the increase in the formation current of LiCoO₂/graphite batteries. The formation current influenced the cycling performance of batteries, especially the high-temperature cycling performance. Therefore, the batteries should be activated with proper current densities to ensure an excellent formation of SEI film on the anode surface.     

Ordered and Fast Ion Transport of Quasi-solid-state Electrolyte with Regulated Coordination Strength for Lithium Metal Batteries

Polymer based quasi-solid-state electrolyte (QSE) has attracted great attention due to its assurance for high safety of rechargeable batteries including lithium metal batteries (LMB). However, it faces the issue of low ionic conductivity of electrolyte and solid-electrolyte-interface (SEI) layer between QSE and lithium anode. Herein, we firstly demonstrate that the ordered and fast transport of lithium ion (Li⁺) can be realized in QSE. Due to the higher coordination strength of Li⁺ on tertiary amine (−NR₃) group of polymer network than that on carbonyl (−C=O) group of ester solvent, Li⁺ can diffuse orderly and quickly on −NR₃ of polymer, significantly increasing the ionic conductivity of QSE to 3.69 mS cm⁻¹. Moreover, −NR₃ of polymer can induce in situ and uniform generation of Li₃N and LiN_xO_y in SEI. As a result, the Li||NCM811 batteries (50 μm Li foil) with this QSE show an excellent stability of 220 cycles at ≈1.5 mA cm⁻², 5 times to those with conventional QSE. LMBs with LiFePO₄ can stably run for ≈8300 h. This work demonstrates an attractive concept for improving ionic conductivity of QSE, and also provides an important step for developing advanced LMB with high cycle stability and safety.     

Succinonitrile as a high-voltage additive in the electrolyte of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2/graphite full batteries

As a functional additive, succinonitrile (SN) can be used in LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂/graphite lithium ion batteries to broaden the oxidation electrochemical window of the electrolyte and significantly improve its rate performance and high-voltage cycle performance. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) shows that EC/EMC-based electrolytes with SN have higher oxidation potentials (approximately 6.1 V vs Li/Li⁺). The capacity retention of LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂/graphite full cell with 0.5-wt% SN added to the electrolyte and 120 cycles between 2.75 and 4.4 V was significantly increased from 67.96% to 84.0%. It is indicated that the LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ (NCM523) battery containing 0.5-wt% SN-based electrolyte has better cycleability and capacity retention at high cutoff voltage. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the full cell were used to characterize the effect of SN on the cell. It is proved that the SN participates in the interfacial reaction between the electrode and the electrolyte to form a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, thereby effectively suppressing the increase of the charge transfer resistance and reducing the elution of the transition metal cations. These results indicate that SN can be used as a functional additive for high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.     

Studies on the effects of coated Li2CO3 on lithium electrode

Although a lithium metal anode has a high energy density compared with a carbon insertion anode, the poor rechargeability prevents the practical use of anode materials. A lithium electrode coated with Li₂CO₃ was prepared as a negative electrode to enhance cycleability through the control of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer formation in Li secondary batteries. The electrochemical characteristics of the SEI layer were examined using chronopotentiometry (CP) and impedance spectroscopy. The Li₂CO₃-SEI layer prevents electrolyte decomposition reaction and has low interface resistance. In addition, the lithium ion diffusion in the SEI layer of the uncoated and the Li₂CO₃-coated electrode was evaluated using chronoamperometry (CA).     

Constructing Co3O4 Nanowires on Carbon Fiber Film as a Lithiophilic Host for Stable Lithium Metal Anodes

Lithium metal has been considered as the most promising anode electrode for substantially improving the energy density of next‐generation energy storage devices. However, uncontrollable lithium dendrite growth, an unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI), and infinite volume variation severely shortens its service lifespan and causes safety hazards, thus hindering the practical application of lithium metal electrodes. Here, carbon fiber film (CFF) modified by lithiophilic Co₃O₄ nanowires (denoted as Co₃O₄ Nws) was proposed as a matrix for prestoring lithium metal through a thermal infusion method. The homogeneous needle‐like Co₃O₄ nanowires can effectively promote molten lithium to infiltrate into the CFF skeleton. The post‐formed Co?Li₂O nanowires produced by the reaction of Co₃O₄ Nws and molten lithium can homogeneously distribute lithium ions flux and efficaciously increase the adsorption energy with lithium ions proved by density functional theory (DFT) calculation, boosting a uniform lithium deposition without dendrite growth. Therefore, the obtained composite anode (denoted as CFF/Co?Li₂O@Li) exhibits superior electrochemical performance with high stripping/plating capacities of 3 mAh cm^?2 and 5 mAh cm^?2 over long‐term cycles in symmetrical batteries. Moreover, in comparison with bare lithium anode, superior Coulombic efficiencies coupled with copper collector and full battery behaviors paired with LiFePO₄ cathode are achieved when CFF/Co?Li₂O@Li composite anode was employed.     

Impedance study on the correlation between phase transition and electrochemical degradation of Si-based materials

In order to explain the relationship between physical change and electrochemical degradation of Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si, impedance spectroscopy on Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si was conducted at various states during charge or discharge. Nyquist plots during Li⁺ insertion (charge) showed a unique behavior that below 70 mV vs. Li/Li⁺, the more Li⁺’s were inserted into the electrode, the larger its comprehensive resistance was getting. During Li⁺ extraction (discharge), electrode resistance was decreased after going through 0.43 V vs Li/Li⁺. When these data were fitted with the ordinary equivalent circuit which is composed of electrolyte resistance, charge transfer resistance and contact resistance, there was an abrupt augmentation of charge transfer resistance below 70 mV vs. Li/Li⁺ during charge, whereas there was its drastic diminishment between 0.2 and 0.5 V vs. Li/Li⁺ during discharge. Because these potential regions are each related to amorphous Li_xSi-to-Li₁₅Si₄ transition and vice versa, it could be shown that the formation and decomposition of Li₁₅Si₄ is responsible for the electrochemical degradation of Co–Co₃O₄ coated Si.     

The understanding of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation and mechanism as the effect of flouro-o-phenylenedimaleimaide (F-MI) additive on lithium-ion battery

Solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is a critical factor that influences battery performance. SEI layer is formed by the decomposition of organic and inorganic compounds after the first cycle. This study investigates SEI formation as a product of electrolyte decomposition by the presence of flouro-o-phenylenedimaleimaide (F-MI) additive. The presence of fluorine on the maleimide-based additive can increase storage capacity and reversible discharge capacity due to high electronegativity and high electron-withdrawing group. The electrolyte containing 0.1 wt% of F-MI-based additive can trigger the formation of SEI, which could suppress the decomposition of remaining electrolyte. The reduction potential was 2.35 to 2.21 V vs Li/Li⁺ as examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) cell with F-MI additive showed the lowest SEI resistance (Rsei) at 5898 Ω as evaluated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The morphology and element analysis on the negative electrode after the first charge-discharge cycle were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS result showed that MCMB cell with F-MI additive provides a higher intensity of organic compounds (RCH₂OCO₂Li) and thinner SEI than MCMB cell without an additive that provides a higher intensity of inorganic compound (Li₂CO₃ and Li₂O), which leads to the performance decay. It is concluded that attaching the fluorine functional group on the maleimide-based additive forms the ideal SEI formation for lithium-ion battery.     

Solvation Structure with Enhanced Anionic Coordination for Stable Anodes in Lithium-Oxygen Batteries

Li-O₂ batteries have garnered much attention due to their high theoretical energy density. However, the irreversible lithium plating/stripping on the anode limits their performance, which has been paid little attention. Herein, a solvation-regulated strategy for stable lithium anodes in tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (G4) based electrolyte is attempted in Li-O₂ batteries. Trifluoroacetate anions (TFA⁻) with strong Li⁺ affinity are incorporated into the lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)/G4 electrolyte to attenuate the Li⁺-G4 interaction and form anion-dominant solvates. The bisalt electrolyte with 0.5 M LiTFA and 0.5 M LiTFSI mitigates G4 decomposition and induces an inorganic-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). This contributes to decreased desolvation energy barrier from 58.20 to 46.31 kJ mol⁻¹, compared with 1.0 M LiTFSI/G4, for facile interfacial Li⁺ diffusion and high efficiency. It yields extended lifespan of 120 cycles in Li-O₂ battery with a limited Li anode (7 mAh cm⁻²). This work gains comprehensive insights into rational electrolyte design for Li-O₂ batteries.     

电解液添加剂硫酸亚乙酯对锂离子电池性能的影响

在1 mol/L LiPF₆/碳酸乙烯酯+碳酸二甲酯+碳酸甲乙酯（体积比1∶1∶1）电解液中,采用恒流充放电测试、循环伏安法（CV）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、能量散射光谱（EDS）、电化学阻抗谱（EIS）等测试技术,研究了添加剂硫酸亚乙酯（DTD）对锂离子电池性能及石墨化中间相碳微球（MCMB）电极/电解液界面性质的影响。 结果表明,在电解液中引入体积分数0.01%DTD后,MCMB/Li电池可逆放电容量从300 mA·h/g提高至350 mA·h/g,电池总阻抗降低,循环稳定性提高。CV测试发现,在首次还原过程中,DTD在电极电位1.4 V左右（vs Li/Li⁺）发生电化学还原,参与了MCMB电极表面固体电解质相界面膜（SEI膜）的形成过程。 同时,DTD对LiMn₂O₄电极性能无不良影响。     

Origin of the irreversible plateau (4.5 V) of Li[Li0.182Ni0.182Co0.091Mn0.545]O2 layered material

Layered LiNi_0.4Co_0.2Mn_0.4O₂, Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂, Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ powder materials were prepared by rheological phase method. XRD characterization shows that these samples all have analogous structure to LiCoO₂. Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂ can be considered to be the solid solution of LiNi_0.4Co_0.2Mn_0.4O₂ and Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂. Detailed information from XRD, ex situ XPS measurement and electrochemical analysis of these three materials reveals the origin of the irreversible plateau (4.5 V) of Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂ electrode. The irreversible oxidation reaction occurred in the first charging above 4.5 V is ascribed to the contribution of Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ component, which maybe extract Li⁺ from the transition layer in Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ or Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂ through oxygen release. This step also activates Mn⁴⁺ of Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂ or Li[Li_0.182Ni_0.182Co_0.091Mn_0.545]O₂, it can be reversibly reduced/oxidized between Mn⁴⁺ and Mn³⁺ in the subsequent cycles.     

Electrochemical behavior of Li[Li0.2Co0.3Mn0.5]O2 as cathode material in Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte

Layered, lithium-rich Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ cathode material is synthesized by reactions under autogenic pressure at elevated temperature (RAPET) method, and its electrochemical behavior is studied in 2?M Li₂SO₄ aqueous solution and compared with that in a non-aqueous electrolyte. In cyclic voltammetry (CV), Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ electrode exhibits a pair of reversible redox peaks corresponding to lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation at the safe potential window without causing the electrolysis of water. CV experiments at various scan rates revealed a linear relationship between the peak current and the square root of scan rate for all peak pairs, indicating that the lithium ion intercalation–deintercalation processes are diffusion controlled. The corresponding diffusion coefficients are found to be in the order of 10^?8?cm²?s^?1. A typical cell employing Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ as cathode and LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ as anode in 2?M Li₂SO₄ solution delivers a discharge capacity of 90?mA?h g^?1. Electrochemical impedance spectral data measured at various discharge potentials are analyzed to determine the kinetic parameters which characterize intercalation–deintercalation of lithium ions in Li[Li_0.2Co_0.3Mn_0.5]O₂ from 2?M Li₂SO₄ aqueous electrolyte.     

Synergistic Dual‐Additive Electrolyte Enables Practical Lithium‐Metal Batteries

A rechargeable Li metal anode coupled with a high‐voltage cathode is a promising approach to high‐energy‐density batteries exceeding 300 Wh kg^?1. Reported here is an advanced dual‐additive electrolyte containing a unique solvation structure and it comprises a tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane additive and LiNO₃ in a carbonate‐based electrolyte. This system generates a robust outer Li₂O solid electrolyte interface and F‐ and B‐containing conformal cathode electrolyte interphase. The resulting stable ion transport kinetics enables excellent cycling of Li/LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ for 140 cycles with 80 % capacity retention under highly challenging conditions (≈295.1 Wh kg^?1 at cell‐level). The electrolyte also exhibits high cycling stability for a 4.6 V LiCoO₂ (160 cycles with 89.8 % capacity retention) cathode and 4.95 V LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode.     

Synergistic Dual-Additive Electrolyte Enables Practical Lithium-Metal Batteries

A rechargeable Li metal anode coupled with a high-voltage cathode is a promising approach to high-energy-density batteries exceeding 300 Wh kg⁻¹. Reported here is an advanced dual-additive electrolyte containing a unique solvation structure and it comprises a tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane additive and LiNO₃ in a carbonate-based electrolyte. This system generates a robust outer Li₂O solid electrolyte interface and F- and B-containing conformal cathode electrolyte interphase. The resulting stable ion transport kinetics enables excellent cycling of Li/LiNi_0.8Mn_0.1Co_0.1O₂ for 140 cycles with 80 % capacity retention under highly challenging conditions (≈295.1 Wh kg⁻¹ at cell-level). The electrolyte also exhibits high cycling stability for a 4.6 V LiCoO₂ (160 cycles with 89.8 % capacity retention) cathode and 4.95 V LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode.     

Armor-like Inorganic-rich Cathode Electrolyte Interphase Enabled by the Pentafluorophenylboronic Acid Additive for High-voltage Li||NCM622 Batteries

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) comprising Li metal anode and high-voltage nickel-rich cathode could potentially realize high capacity and power density. However, suitable electrolytes to tolerate the oxidation on the cathode at high cut-off voltage are urgently needed. Herein, we present an armor-like inorganic-rich cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) strategy for exploring oxidation-resistant electrolytes for sustaining 4.8 V Li||LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ (NCM622) batteries with pentafluorophenylboronic acid (PFPBA) as the additive. In such CEI, the armored lithium borate surrounded by CEI up-layer represses the dissolution of inner CEI moieties and also improves the Li⁺ conductivity of CEI while abundant LiF is distributed over whole CEI to enhance the mechanical stability and Li⁺ conductivity compared with polymer moieties. With such robust Li⁺ conductive CEI, the Li||NCM622 battery delivered excellent stability at 4.6 V cut-off voltage with 91.2 % capacity retention after 400 cycles. The excellent cycling performance was also obtained even at 4.8 V cut-off voltage.