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Updated: Jun 27, 2025

1,3,5-Triphenylbenzene and Corannulene as Electron Receptors for Lithium Solvated Electron Solutions
Published on: October 10, 2016
4-Fluorobenzyl cyanide, a sterically-hindered solvent expediting interfacial kinetics in lithium-ion batteries
Mingsheng Qin1,2, Ziqi Zeng1, Qiang Wu1
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Electromagnetic Technology, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan 430074 Hubei China xiejia@hust.edu.cn ziqizeng@hust.edu.cn.
Abstract:
The electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is plagued by sluggish interfacial kinetics. Fortunately, the Li+ solvation structure bridges the bulk electrolyte and interfacial chemistry, providing a pathway for promoting electrochemical kinetics in LIBs. Herein, we improve the interfacial kinetics by tuning the Li+ coordination chemistry based on solvent molecular engineering. Specifically, 4-fluorobenzyl cyanide (FBCN), featuring steric hindrance and a weak Lewis basic center, is designed to construct a bulky coordination structure with Li+, weakening ion-dipole interaction (Li+-solvents) but promoting coulombic attraction (Li+-anions) at a normal Li salt concentration. This sterically-controlled solvation chemistry reduces the interfacial barrier and thus contributes to improved rate performance, as demonstrated practically in LiFePO4//graphite pouch cells. This study provides fresh insights into solvent steric control and coordination chemistry engineering, opening a new avenue for enhancing electrochemical kinetics in LIBs.
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