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.     

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.     

New Oxyhalide Solid Electrolytes with High Lithium Ionic Conductivity >10 mS cm−1 for All-Solid-State Batteries

All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) with inorganic solid electrolytes (SEs) have attracted significant interest as next-generation energy storage. Halides such as Li₃YCl₆ are promising candidates for SE because they combine high oxidation stability and deformability. However, the ionic conductivities of halide SEs are not as high as those of other SEs, especially sulfides. Here, we discover new lithium-metal-oxy-halide materials, LiMOCl₄ (M=Nb, Ta). They exhibit extremely high ionic conductivities of 10.4 mS cm⁻¹ for M=Nb and 12.4 mS cm⁻¹ for M=Ta, respectively, even in cold-pressed powder forms at room temperature, which are comparable to or surpass those of organic liquid electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries. Bulk-type ASSB cells using the oxyhalides as the cathode SE demonstrate an outstanding rate capability with a capacity retention of 80 % at 5 C/0.1 C. We believe that the proposed oxyhalides are promising SE candidates for the practical applications of ASSBs.     

Water‐Mediated Synthesis of a Superionic Halide Solid Electrolyte

To promote the development of solid‐state batteries, polymer‐, oxide‐, and sulfide‐based solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) have been extensively investigated. However, the disadvantages of these SSEs, such as high‐temperature sintering of oxides, air instability of sulfides, and narrow electrochemical windows of polymers electrolytes, significantly hinder their practical application. Therefore, developing SSEs that have a high ionic conductivity (>10^?3 S cm^?1), good air stability, wide electrochemical window, excellent electrode interface stability, low‐cost mass production is required. Herein we report a halide Li⁺ superionic conductor, Li₃InCl₆, that can be synthesized in water. Most importantly, the as‐synthesized Li₃InCl₆ shows a high ionic conductivity of 2.04×10^?3 S cm^?1 at 25 °C. Furthermore, the ionic conductivity can be recovered after dissolution in water. Combined with a LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathode, the solid‐state Li battery shows good cycling stability.     

Synergistic effect of fluorinated solvent and Mg2+ enabling 4.6 V LiCoO2 performances

Increasing the charging cut-off potential of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂, LCO) can effectively improve the energy density of the lithium-ion batteries, which are the mainstream energy storage devices used in 3C electronic products. However, the continuous decomposition of the electrolyte and dissolution of Co from the electrode will occur at high-potential operation, which deteriorate the performances of LCO. Here, a cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) layer containing MgF₂ is constructed to enhance the electrochemical stability of LCO at 4.6 V (vs. Li⁺/Li). The Mg²⁺ added to the cathode gradually releases into the electrolyte during cycling, which forms a stable MgF₂-rich protective layer. In addition, 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropylether (TTE) is added to the electrolyte acting as a F source to increase the content of MgF₂ in the CEI layer. The MgF₂-rich CEI layer effectively suppresses the decomposition of electrolyte components and the dissolution of Co of LCO, which makes the Li||LiCoO₂ (Li||LCO) cell cycled stably at 3∼4.6 V (vs. Li⁺/Li) in 200 cycles with a retention of 83.9%.     

In situ electrochemical studies for Li+ ions dissociation from the LiCoO2 electrode by the substrate-generation/tip-collection mode in SECM

This work presents the transportation of Li⁺ ions at the interface of a charging LiCoO₂ electrode through the substrate-generation/tip-collection (SG/TC) feedback mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The TC current, due to the reduction of the ethylene carbonate (EC) supermolecule, is collected more strongly at 1.8 V than that of the Li⁺(DEC) _n at 2.5 V near at the substrate because of the increased concentration of the supermolecule Li⁺(EC)_m, which means that the electrolyte is not uniformly distributed over the substrate. The smooth SG/TC current loop is formed at the probe position optimized by the probe scan curve technique between the LiCoO₂ substrate with 4.0 V and the probe with 1.8 V, which is applied to analyze the Li⁺ ion transport at the interface of the LiCoO₂ electrode. Moreover, the LiCoO₂ substrate, which has a flat surface, is imaged to the nonuniform surface electrochemically by the SECM. We infer that these experimental techniques will help analyze transporting Li⁺ ions at the interface and the electrochemical uniformity of the electrode.     

Monitoring electrode/electrolyte interfaces of Li-ion batteries under working conditions: A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic study on LiCoO2 composite cathodes

Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used for electrical energy storage in portable devices and are promising systems for large-scale energy storage. However, their application is still limited due to electrode degradation and stability issues. To enhance the fundamental understanding of electrode degradation, we report on the Raman spectroscopic characterization of LiCoO₂ cathode materials of working Li-ion batteries. To facilitate the spectroscopic analysis of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI), we apply in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy under battery working conditions by using Au nanoparticles coated with a thin SiO₂ layer (Au@SiO₂). We observe a surface-enhanced Raman signal of Li₂CO₃ at 1090 cm⁻¹ during electrochemical cycling as an intermediate. Its formation/decomposition highlights the role of Li₂CO₃ as a component of the SEI on LiCoO₂ composite cathodes. Our results demonstrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy to monitor electrode/electrolyte interfaces of lithium-ion batteries under working conditions thus allowing relations between electrochemical performance and structural changes to be established.     

A Perovskite Electrolyte That Is Stable in Moist Air for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Solid‐oxide Li⁺ electrolytes of a rechargeable cell are generally sensitive to moisture in the air as H⁺ exchanges for the mobile Li⁺ of the electrolyte and forms insulating surface phases at the electrolyte interfaces and in the grain boundaries of a polycrystalline membrane. These surface phases dominate the total interfacial resistance of a conventional rechargeable cell with a solid–electrolyte separator. We report a new perovskite Li⁺ solid electrolyte, Li_0.38Sr_0.44Ta_0.7Hf_0.3O_2.95F_0.05, with a lithium‐ion conductivity of σ_Li=4.8×10^?4 S cm^?1 at 25 °C that does not react with water having 3≤pH≤14. The solid electrolyte with a thin Li⁺‐conducting polymer on its surface to prevent reduction of Ta⁵⁺ is wet by metallic lithium and provides low‐impedance dendrite‐free plating/stripping of a lithium anode. It is also stable upon contact with a composite polymer cathode. With this solid electrolyte, we demonstrate excellent cycling performance of an all‐solid‐state Li/LiFePO₄ cell, a Li‐S cell with a polymer‐gel cathode, and a supercapacitor.     

A Versatile Halide Ester Enabling Li‐Anode Stability and a High Rate Capability in Lithium–Oxygen Batteries

Li‐O₂ batteries are promising candidates for next‐generation high‐energy‐density battery systems. However, the main problems of Li–O₂ batteries include the poor rate capability of the cathode and the instability of the Li anode. Herein, an ester‐based liquid additive, 2,2,2‐trichloroethyl chloroformate, was introduced into the conventional electrolyte of a Li–O₂ battery. Versatile effects of this additive on the oxygen cathode and the Li metal anode became evident. The Li–O₂ battery showed an outstanding rate capability of 2005 mAh g^?1 with a remarkably decreased charge potential at a large current density of 1000 mA g^?1. The positive effect of the halide ester on the rate capacity is associated with the improved solubility of Li₂O₂ in the electrolyte and the increased diffusion rate of O₂. Furthermore, the ester promotes the formation of a solid–electrolyte interphase layer on the surface of the Li metal, which restrains the loss and volume change of the Li electrode during stripping and plating, thereby achieving a cycling stability over 900 h and a Li capacity utilization of up to 10 mAh cm^?2.     

Enhanced overcharge behavior and thermal stability of commercial LiCoO2 by coating with a novel material

Commercial LiCoO₂ has been modified with MnSiO₄ as a novel coating material. The structures, morphologies, overcharge behaviors and thermal stabilities of the pristine and MnSiO₄-coated LiCoO₂ materials were studied. The MnSiO₄-coated LiCoO₂ had initial discharge specific capacities of 181.1 and 232.2 mAh g⁻¹ within the potential ranges 2.75–4.5 and 2.75–4.7 V (vs. Li⁺/Li), respectively. It was found that the overcharge tolerance of the coated cathode was significantly better than that of the pristine LiCoO₂ under the same conditions – the discharge specific capacities of the coated cathode at upper charge cutoff voltages of 4.5 and 4.7 V were as high as 168.7 and 154.3 mAh g⁻¹, respectively, after 50 cycles. Moreover, DSC showed that the coated LiCoO₂ had a higher thermal stability than the pristine LiCoO₂.     

Effect of Mg doping and MgO-surface modification on the cycling stability of LiCoO2 electrodes

Two synthetic routes including Mg doping and MgO-surface modification were applied to the preparation of LiCoO₂ showing enhanced reversible cycling behaviour as cathode material in lithium ion batteries. Mg-doped LiCoO₂ was obtained by the citrate precursor method in the temperature range 750–900°C. The surface of LiCoO₂ was modified by coating with Mg(CH₃COO)₂ and subsequent heating at 600°C. XRD, chemical oxidative analysis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Ni³⁺ spin probes were used to characterize the Mg distribution in LiCoO₂. Substitution of Co by Mg in the CoO₂-layers was found to have a positive effect on the cycling stability, while Mg dopants in LiO₂-layers did not influence the capacity fade. The accumulation of MgO on the surface of LiCoO₂ improves the cycling stability without loss of initial capacity.     

Promoting Surface Electric Conductivity for High-Rate LiCoO2

The cathode materials work as the host framework for both Li⁺ diffusion and electron transport in Li-ion batteries. The Li⁺ diffusion property is always the research focus, while the electron transport property is less studied. Herein, we propose a unique strategy to elevate the rate performance through promoting the surface electric conductivity. Specifically, a disordered rock-salt phase was coherently constructed at the surface of LiCoO₂, promoting the surface electric conductivity by over one magnitude. It increased the effective voltage (V_eff) imposed in the bulk, thus driving more Li⁺ extraction/insertion and making LiCoO₂ exhibit superior rate capability (154 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 C), and excellent cycling performance (93 % after 1000 cycles at 10 C). The universality of this strategy was confirmed by another surface design and a simulation. Our findings provide a new angle for developing high-rate cathode materials by tuning the surface electron transport property.     

Fabrication of solid thin film electrolyte and LiCoO2 by aerosol flame pyrolysis deposition

Aerosol flame pyrolysis deposition method was applied to deposit the oxide glass electrolyte film and LiCoO₂ cathode for thin film type Li-ion secondary battery. The thicknesses of as-deposited porous LiCoO₂ and Li₂O–B₂O₃–P₂O₅ electrolyte film were about 6 μm and 15 μm, respectively. The deposited LiCoO₂ was sintered for 2 min at 700 °C to make partially densified cathode layer, and the deposited Li₂O–P₂O₅–B₂O₃ glass film completely densified by the sintering at 700 °C for 1 h. After solid state sintering process the thicknesses were reduced to approximately 4 μm and 6 μm, respectively. The cathode and electrolyte layers were deposited by continuous deposition process and integrated into a layer by co-sintering. It was demonstrated that Aerosol flame deposition is one of the good candidates for the fabrication of thin film battery.     

Novel technique to form electrode–electrolyte nanointerface in all-solid-state rechargeable lithium batteries

The electrode–electrolyte nanocomposites, where the nano-sized NiS electrode with large capacity was embedded in the 80Li₂S · 20P₂S₅ electrolyte with high Li⁺ conductivity, were successfully prepared by the mechanochemical method. Contact area of solid–solid interface between the electrode and the electrolyte was remarkably increased in the nanocomposites. All-solid-state cell using the nanocomposites as a working electrode exhibited larger capacity and better cycling performance than the cell using the electrode obtained by conventional hand-mixing of powders. The mechanochemical technique sheds light on a new formation process of electrode–electrolyte interfaces endowing solid-state batteries with high power density and high energy density.     

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.     

Enabling ultrafast lithium-ion conductivity of Li2ZrCl6 by indium doping

Solid-state batteries with high energy density and safety are promising next-generation battery systems. However, lithium oxide and lithium sulfide electrolytes suffer low ionic conductivity and poor electrochemical stability, respectively. Lithium halide solid electrolyte shows high conductivity and good compatibility with the pristine high-voltage cathode but limited applications due to the high price of rare metal. Zr-based lithium halides with low cost and high stability possess great potential. Herein, a small amount of In³⁺ is introduced in Li₂ZrCl₆ to synthesize Li_2.25Zr_0.75In_0.25Cl₆ electrolytes with a high room temperature Li-ion conductivity of 1.08 mS/cm. Solid-state batteries using Li_2.25Zr_0.75In_0.25Cl₆/Li_5.5PS_4.5Cl_1.5 bilayer solid electrolytes combined with Li-In anode and pristine LiNi_0.7Mn_0.2Co_0.1O₂ cathode deliver high initial discharge capacities under different cut-off voltages. This work provides an effective strategy for enhancing the conductivity of Li₂ZrCl₆ electrolytes, promoting their applications in solid-state batteries.     

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.     

Non-successive degradation in bulk-type all-solid-state lithium battery with rigid interfacial contact

Bulk-type all-solid-state lithium battery adopting garnet structured electrolyte has been successfully realized by improving the state of interface contact between cathode/electrolyte, as well as cathode particles in the composite layer. The cycle life of the battery has been examined at room temperature, and at elevated temperature of 80 ^°C and 150 ^°C. It exhibits that under high tested current density, the cell exhibits non-successive degradation during cycling, whereas successive degradation under low current density. Impedance spectroscopy measurements, as well as cross-sectional SEM images have been used to complement the electrochemical data in examining structural changes. The results indicate that the destructive damage of cracks originated from the volume change of LiCoO₂ particles in the composite layer is responsible for the non-successive degradation of cell during cycling.     

A Plastic–Crystal Electrolyte Interphase for All‐Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

The development of all‐solid‐state rechargeable batteries is plagued by a large interfacial resistance between a solid cathode and a solid electrolyte that increases with each charge–discharge cycle. The introduction of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and solid cathode particles reduces the interfacial resistance, increases the cycle life, and allows a high rate performance. Comparison of solid‐state sodium cells with 1) solid electrolyte Na₃Zr₂(Si₂PO₄) particles versus 2) plastic–crystal electrolyte in the cathode composites shows that the former suffers from a huge irreversible capacity loss on cycling whereas the latter exhibits a dramatically improved electrochemical performance with retention of capacity for over 100 cycles and cycling at 5 C rate. The application of a plastic–crystal electrolyte interphase between a solid electrolyte and a solid cathode may be extended to other all‐solid‐state battery cells.