Recent Progress in High-Performance Lithium Sulfur Batteries: The Emerging Strategies for Advanced Separators/Electrolytes Based on Nanomaterials and Corresponding Interfaces

Lithium-sulfur (Li−S) batteries, possessing excellent theoretical capacities, low cost and nontoxicity, are one of the most promising energy storage battery systems. However, poor conductivity of elemental S and the “shuttle effect” of lithium polysulfides hinder the commercialization of Li−S batteries. These problems are closely related to the interface problems between the cathodes, separators/electrolytes and anodes. The review focuses on interface issues for advanced separators/electrolytes based on nanomaterials in Li−S batteries. In the liquid electrolyte systems, electrolytes/separators and electrodes system can be decorated by nano materials coating for separators and electrospinning nanofiber separators. And, interface of anodes and electrolytes/separators can be modified by nano surface coating, nano composite metal lithium and lithium nano alloy, while the interface between cathodes and electrolytes/separators is designed by nano metal sulfide, nanocarbon-based and other nano materials. In all solid-state electrolyte systems, the focus is to increase the ionic conductivity of the solid electrolytes and reduce the resistance in the cathode/polymer electrolyte and Li/electrolyte interfaces through using nanomaterials. The basic mechanism of these interface problems and the corresponding electrochemical performance are discussed. Based on the most critical factors of the interfaces, we provide some insights on nanomaterials in high-performance liquid or state Li−S batteries in the future.     

石榴石固体电解质Li3BO3界面改性研究

石榴石固体电解质由于其高的离子电导率,对锂金属稳定等优点成为了下一代高性能锂电池的重要研究方向之一.但锂金属负极界面浸润性与锂枝晶问题限制了其应用.本文通过简单的液相沉积结合高温烧结的方法,在石榴石固体电解质片表面构建了一层稳定的硼酸三锂(Li3BO3)修饰层.研究表明,Li3BO3 修饰层可以有效改善石榴石固体电解质...     

Wetting Phenomena and their Effect on the Electrochemical Performance of Surface‐Tailored Lithium Metal Electrodes in Contact with Cross‐linked Polymeric Electrolytes

Li metal batteries (LMBs) containing cross‐linked polymer electrolytes (PEs) are auspicious candidates for next‐generation batteries. However, the wetting behavior of PEs on uneven Li metal surfaces has been neglected in most studies. Herein, it is shown that microscale defect sites with curved edges play an important role in a wettability‐dependent electrodeposition. The wettability and the viscoelastic properties of PEs are correlated, and the impact of wettability on the nucleation and diffusion near the Li|PE interface is distinguished. It is found that the curvature of the edges is a key factor for the investigation of wetting phenomena. The appearance of microscale defects and phase separation are identified as main causes for erratic nucleation. It is emphasized that the implementation of stable and consistent long‐term cycling performance of LMBs using PEs requires a deeper understanding of the “soft‐solid”–solid contact between PEs and inherently rough Li metal surfaces.     

Hybrid Polymer/Garnet Electrolyte with a Small Interfacial Resistance for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂‐based Li‐rich garnets react with water and carbon dioxide in air to form a Li‐ion insulating Li₂CO₃ layer on the surface of the garnet particles, which results in a large interfacial resistance for Li‐ion transfer. Here, we introduce LiF to garnet Li_6.5La₃Zr_1.5Ta_0.5O₁₂ (LLZT) to increase the stability of the garnet electrolyte against moist air; the garnet LLZT‐2 wt % LiF (LLZT‐2LiF) has less Li₂CO₃ on the surface and shows a small interfacial resistance with Li metal, a solid polymer electrolyte, and organic‐liquid electrolytes. An all‐solid‐state Li/polymer/LLZT‐2LiF/LiFePO₄ battery has a high Coulombic efficiency and long cycle life; a Li‐S cell with the LLZT‐2LiF electrolyte as a separator, which blocks the polysulfide transport towards the Li‐metal, also has high Coulombic efficiency and kept 93 % of its capacity after 100 cycles.     

A Highly Efficient All‐Solid‐State Lithium/Electrolyte Interface Induced by an Energetic Reaction

The energetic chemical reaction between Zn(NO₃)₂ and Li is used to create a solid‐state interface between Li metal and Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ (LLZTO) electrolyte. This interlayer, composed of Zn, ZnLi_x alloy, Li₃N, Li₂O, and other species, possesses strong affinities with both Li metal and LLZTO and affords highly efficient conductive pathways for Li⁺ transport through the interface. The unique structure and properties of the interlayer lead to Li metal anodes with longer cycle life, higher efficiency, and better safety compared to the current best Li metal electrodes operating in liquid electrolytes while retaining comparable capacity, rate, and overpotential. All‐solid‐state Li||Li cells can operate at very demanding current–capacity conditions of 4 mA cm^?2–8 mAh cm^?2. Thousands of hours of continuous cycling are achieved at Coulombic efficiency >99.5 % without dendrite formation or side reactions with the electrolyte.     

4.5 V High‐Voltage Rechargeable Batteries Enabled by the Reduction of Polarization on the Lithium Metal Anode

Lithium metal is used to achieve high‐energy‐density batteries due to its large theoretical capacity and low negative electrochemical potential. The introduction of quasi‐solid electrolytes simultaneously overcomes the safety problems induced by the liquid electrolytes and the high interfacial resistance issues confronted by all solid‐state electrolytes. In‐depth investigations involving interfacial behaviors in quasi‐solid lithium metal batteries are inadequate. Herein an ultrathin Li₃OCl quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte layer (500 nm thickness) is used to cover a lithium anode. The polarization of the anode is remarkably reduced by introducing the Li₃OCl quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte. In contrast to the decomposition of solvents in a standard electrolyte (EC‐DEC,1.0 m LiPF₆), the established quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte interfaces can significantly inhibit the decomposition of solvents when the cut‐off voltage is 4.5 V.     

In Situ Construction of an Ultra‐Stable Conductive Composite Interface for High‐Voltage All‐Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries

The garnet electrolyte presents poor wettability with Li metal, resulting in an extremely large interfacial impedance and drastic growth of Li dendrites. Herein, a novel ultra‐stable conductive composite interface (CCI) consisting of Li_ySn alloy and Li₃N is constructed in situ between Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ (LLZTO) pellet and Li metal by a conversion reaction of SnN_x with Li metal at 300 °C. The Li_ySn alloy as a continuous and robust bridge between LLZTO and Li metal can effectively reduce the LLZTO/Li interfacial resistance from 4468.0 Ω to 164.8 Ω. Meanwhile, the Li₃N as a fast Li‐ion channel can efficiently transfer Li ions and give their uniform distribution at the LLZTO/Li interface. Therefore, the Li/LLZTO@CCI/Li symmetric battery stably cycles for 1200 h without short circuit, and the all‐solid‐state high‐voltage Li/LLZTO@CCI/LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ battery achieves a specific capacity of 161.4 mAh g^?1 at 0.25 C with a capacity retention rate of 92.6 % and coulombic efficiency of 100.0 % after 200 cycles at 25 °C.     

Designing solid-state interfaces on lithium-metal anodes: a review

Li-metal anodes are one of the most promising energy storage systems that can considerably exceed the current technology to meet the ever-increasing demand of power applications. The apparent cycling performances and dendrite challenges of Li-metal anodes are highly influenced by the interface layer on the Li-metal anode because the intrinsic high reactivity of metallic Li results in an inevitable solid-state interface layer between the Li-metal and electrolytes. In this review, we summarize the recent progress on the interfacial chemistry regarding the interactions between electrolytes and ion migration through dynamic interfaces. The critical factors that affect the interface formation for constructing a stable interface with a low resistance are reviewed. Moreover, we review emerging strategies for rationally designing multiple-structured solid-state electrolytes and their interfaces, including the interfacial properties within hybrid electrolytes and the solid electrolyte/electrode interface. Finally, we present scientific issues and perspectives associated with Li-metal anode interfaces toward a practical Li-metal battery.     

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C3N4): An Interface Enabler for Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries

Solid‐state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs) have attracted considerable interests due to their promising energy density as well as high safety. However, the realization of a well‐matched Li metal/solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) interface remains challenging. Herein, we report g‐C₃N₄ as a new interface enabler. We discover that introducing g‐C₃N₄ into Li metal can not only convert the Li metal/garnet‐type SSE interface from point contact to intimate contact but also greatly enhance the capability to suppress the dendritic Li formation because of the greatly enhanced viscosity, decreased surface tension of molten Li, and the in situ formation of Li₃N at the interface. Thus, the resulting Li‐C₃N₄|SSE|Li‐C₃N₄ symmetric cell gives a significantly low interfacial resistance of 11 Ω cm² and a high critical current density (CCD) of 1500 μA cm^?2. In contrast, the same symmetric cell configuration with pristine Li metal electrodes has a much larger interfacial resistance (428 Ω cm²) and a much lower CCD (50 μA cm^?2).     

基于局部高盐界面润湿策略构筑的固态金属锂软包电池

固态金属锂电池因其优异的安全性和高的理论能量密度被认为是最具前景的下一代储能电池体系之一。随着以硫化物为代表的高离子导率电解质被逐渐开发,金属锂与固态电解质界面成为限制固态电池应用的主要瓶颈。金属锂/电解质的固固界面存在着界面接触差、界面电荷传输阻力高等问题。本文以固态金属锂软包电池为研究对象,通过由1,1,2,2-四氟乙基-2,2,3,3-四氟丙基醚、乙二醇二甲醚与双三氟磺酰亚胺锂组成的局部高盐液态电解液(HFE-DME LiTFSI)对金属锂/固态电解质界面进行润湿,增加金属锂与固态电解质之间的离子接触,降低离子传输阻力,从而提高锂离子在界面的传输能力。在30 mm×30 mm Li|Li4Ti5O12(LTO)固态软包电池中,通过3.0μL·cm^?2 HFE-DME LiTFSI局部高盐液态电解液润湿金属锂与固态电解质界面,软包电池的界面电阻从4366Ω·cm^?2降低到了64Ω·cm^?2。在0.1C与0.5C倍率下,LTO的放电比容量分别达到107与96 mAh·g^?1。同时,Li-S固态软包电池在0.01C及0.02C下,比容量也达到了1100与932 mAh·g^?1。     

石榴石型固态电解质/铝锂合金界面构筑及电化学性能

本文通过在锂负极中熔入少量铝制备了一种含Al-Li合金（Al₄Li₉）的新型复合锂负极,可有效改善Garnet/金属锂界面润湿性,从而显著降低了界面阻抗. XRD研究结果表明这一复合锂负极由Al₄Li₉合金和金属锂两相复合而成. SEM研究表明,复合锂负极可以有效改善金属锂与Garnet电解质的界面接触,形成更为紧密的接触界面. 电化学测试表明,复合锂负极显著降低了金属锂与Garnet电解质的界面阻抗,界面阻抗由锂/Garnet电解质界面的740.6 Ω·cm ²降低到复合锂负极/Garnet电解质界面的75.0 Ω·cm ². 使用复合锂负极制备的对称电池在50 μA·cm ^-2和100 μA·cm ^-2电流密度锂沉积-溶出过程中表现出较低的极化和良好的循环稳定性,在50 μA·cm ^-2电流密度下,可以稳定循环超过400小时.     

Room temperature operation of all-solid-state battery using a closo-type complex hydride solid electrolyte and a LiCoO_2 cathode by interfacial modification

We report on an all-solid-state battery that employs a closo-type complex hydride solid electrolyte and a LiCoO2 cathode.Interfacial modification between the solid electrolyte and cathode with a LiNbO_3 buffer layer enables reversible charge-discharge cycling with a cell voltage of 3.9V (vs.Li+/Li) at room temperature.Electrochemical analyses clarify that the given modification effectively suppresses side reactions at the cathode/solid electrolyte interface.The interfacial resistance is lowered by ca.10 times with a 5 nm thick LiNbO_3 buffer layer compared to that without a buffer layer,so that a discharge capacity of 109 mAh g~(-1) is achieved.These results suggest that interfacial modification can be a viable approach to the development of high-voltage all-solid-state batteries using closo-type complex hydride solid electrolytes and oxide cathodes.     

Enabling a Durable Electrochemical Interface via an Artificial Amorphous Cathode Electrolyte Interphase for Hybrid Solid/Liquid Lithium‐Metal Batteries

A hybrid solid/liquid electrolyte with superior security facilitates the implementation of high‐energy‐density storage devices, but it suffers from inferior chemical compatibility with cathodes. Herein, an optimal lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate salt was introduced to build in situ an amorphous cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) between Ni‐rich cathodes and hybrid electrolyte. The CEI preserves the surface structure with high compatibility, leading to enhanced interfacial stability. Meanwhile, the space‐charge layer can be prominently mitigated at the solid/solid interface via harmonized chemical potentials, acquiring promoted interfacial dynamics as revealed by COMSOL simulation. Consequently, the amorphous CEI integrates the bifunctionality to provide an excellent cycling stability, high Coulombic efficiency, and favorable rate capability in high‐voltage Li‐metal batteries, innovating the design philosophy of functional CEI strategy for future high‐energy‐density batteries.     

Building an Air Stable and Lithium Deposition Regulable Garnet Interface from Moderate‐Temperature Conversion Chemistry

Garnet‐type electrolytes suffer from unstable chemistry against air exposure, which generates contaminants on electrolyte surface and accounts for poor interfacial contact with the Li metal. Thermal treatment of the garnet at >700 °C could remove the surface contaminants, yet it regenerates the contaminants in the air, and aggravates the Li dendrite issue as more electron‐conducting defective sites are exposed. In a departure from the removal approach, here we report a new surface chemistry that converts the contaminants into a fluorinated interface at moderate temperature <180 °C. The modified interface shows a high electron tunneling barrier and a low energy barrier for Li⁺ surface diffusion, so that it enables dendrite‐proof Li plating/stripping at a high critical current density of 1.4 mA cm^?2. Moreover, the modified interface exhibits high chemical and electrochemical stability against air exposure, which prevents regeneration of contaminants and keeps high critical current density of 1.1 mA cm^?2. The new chemistry presents a practical solution for realization of high‐energy solid‐state Li metal batteries.     

A Flexible Solid Electrolyte Interphase Layer for Long‐Life Lithium Metal Anodes

Lithium (Li) metal is a promising anode material for high‐energy density batteries. However, the unstable and static solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) can be destroyed by the dynamic Li plating/stripping behavior on the Li anode surface, leading to side reactions and Li dendrites growth. Herein, we design a smart Li polyacrylic acid (LiPAA) SEI layer high elasticity to address the dynamic Li plating/stripping processes by self‐adapting interface regulation, which is demonstrated by in situ AFM. With the high binding ability and excellent stability of the LiPAA polymer, the smart SEI can significantly reduce the side reactions and improve battery safety markedly. Stable cycling of 700 h is achieved in the LiPAA‐Li/LiPAA‐Li symmetrical cell. The innovative strategy of self‐adapting SEI design is broadly applicable, providing opportunities for use in Li metal anodes     

Anisotropically Electrochemical–Mechanical Evolution in Solid‐State Batteries and Interfacial Tailored Strategy

All‐solid‐state batteries have attracted attention owing to the potential high energy density and safety; however, little success has been made on practical applications of solid‐state batteries, which is largely attributed to the solid–solid interface issues. A fundamental elucidation of electrode–electrolyte interface behaviors is of crucial significance but has proven difficult. The interfacial resistance and capacity fading issues in a solid‐state battery were probed, revealing a heterogeneous phase transition evolution at solid–solid interfaces. The strain‐induced interfacial change and the contact loss, as well as a dense metallic surface phase, deteriorate the electrochemical reaction in solid‐state batteries. Furthermore, the in situ growth of electrolytes on secondary particles is proposed to fabricate robust solid–solid interface. Our study enlightens new insights into the mechanism behind solid–solid interfacial reaction for optimizing advanced solid‐state batteries.     

锂金属电池用高浓度电解液体系研究进展

锂金属二次电池具有极高的能量密度,是下一代储能电池的研究热点。然而,金属锂负极在传统碳酸酯电解液1 mol·L^?1 LiPF6-EC/DEC(ethylene carbonate/diethyl carbonate)中充放电时,存在严重的枝晶生长和循环效率低下等问题,阻碍了其商业化应用。因此,开发与锂负极兼容的新型电解液体系是目前重要的研究任务。与传统稀溶液相比,高浓度电解液体系具有独有的物化性质和优异的界面相容性,并且能有效抑制锂枝晶生长、显著提升锂负极的循环可逆性,因而格外受到关注。本文综述了高浓度电解液及局部高浓电解液体系的最新研究进展,分析了其溶液化学结构和物化性质,对其与锂负极的界面相容性、枝晶抑制效果、效率提升能力及界面稳定性机制进行了探讨;文章着重介绍了高浓与局部高浓电解液体系在锂金属二次电池中的应用,同时从基础科学研究和应用研究两个层面对高浓电解液和局部高浓电解液存在的主要问题进行了简要分析,并对其未来发展方向进行了展望。     

A Liquid/Liquid Electrolyte Interface that Inhibits Corrosion and Dendrite Growth of Lithium in Lithium‐Metal Batteries

A proof‐of‐concept study on a liquid/liquid (L/L) two‐phase electrolyte interface is reported by using the polarity difference of solvent for the protection of Li‐metal anode with long‐term operation over 2000 h. The L/L electrolyte interface constructed by non‐polar fluorosilicane (PFTOS) and conventionally polar dimethyl sulfoxide solvents can block direct contact between conventional electrolyte and Li anode, and consequently their side reactions can be significantly eliminated. Moreover, the homogeneous Li‐ion flow and Li‐mass deposition can be realized by the formation of a thin and uniform solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) composed of LiF, Li_xC, Li_xSiO_y between PFTOS and Li anode, as well as the super‐wettability state of PFTOS to Li anode, resulting in the suppression of Li dendrite formation. The cycling stability in a lithium–oxygen battery as a model is improved 4 times with the L/L electrolyte interface.     

水溶液法原位构建ZnO亲锂层稳定锂-石榴石电解质界面

固态电池以其高安全性和高能量密度而备受关注。石榴石型固体电解质(LLZO)由于具有较高的离子导电性和对锂金属的稳定性,在固态电池中具有应用前景,但陶瓷与锂金属较差的界面接触会导致高的界面阻抗和可能形成的枝晶穿透。我们利用LLZO表层独特的H⁺/Li⁺交换反应,提出了一种简便有效的金属盐类水溶液诱发策略,在电解质表面原位构建ZnO亲锂层,界面处LiZn合金化实现紧密连续的接触。引入改性层后,界面阻抗可显著降低至约10Ω·cm²,对称电池能够在0.1mA·cm^-2的电流密度下实现长达1000h的长循环稳定性。匹配正极LiFePO₄(LFP)或LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂(NCM523)的准固态电池在室温下能够稳定循环100次以上。     

Salt‐Based Organic–Inorganic Nanocomposites: Towards A Stable Lithium Metal/Li10GeP2S12 Solid Electrolyte Interface

Solid‐state Li metal battery technology is attractive, owing to the high energy density, long lifespans, and better safety. A key obstacle in this technology is the unstable Li/solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) interface involving electrolyte reduction by Li. Herein we report a novel approach based on the use of a nanocomposite consisting of organic elastomeric salts (LiO‐(CH₂O)_n‐Li) and inorganic nanoparticle salts (LiF, ‐NSO₂‐Li, Li₂O), which serve as an interphase to protect Li₁₀GeP₂S₁₂ (LGPS), a highly conductive but reducible SSE. The nanocomposite is formed in situ on Li via the electrochemical decomposition of a liquid electrolyte, thus having excellent chemical and electrochemical stability, affinity for Li and LGPS, and limited interfacial resistance. XPS depth profiling and SEM show that the nanocomposite effectively restrained the reduction of LGPS. Stable Li electrodeposition over 3000 h and a 200 cycle life for a full cell were achieved.