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Updated: Sep 15, 2025
11:04
Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes, Assembly of Li-ion Batteries, and Measurements of Performance at High Temperature
Published on: December 20, 2016
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Liquid-liquid interfacial tension stabilized Li-metal batteries
Haijin Ji1, Jingwei Xiang1, Yong Li2
1State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die and Mold Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
Nature
|July 16, 2025
Summary
A novel micro-emulsion electrolyte strategy enhances lithium-metal battery performance by creating protective fluoride-rich interphases on both anode and cathode. This approach achieves high energy densities and stable cycling, advancing battery technology.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- High-nickel cathodes and lithium-metal anodes promise energy densities exceeding 500 Wh/kg.
- Stabilizing anode and cathode interphases is crucial for safe, long-term cycling in high-energy batteries.
- Current strategies often focus on single-electrode protection, leaving concurrent protection a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an intrinsic strategy for concurrently protecting both lithium-metal anodes and high-nickel cathodes.
- To design electrolytes that bypass traditional Li+ solvation regulation for interphase construction.
- To explore the use of micro-emulsion systems for advanced battery electrolyte design.
Main Methods:
- A micro-emulsion strategy was employed for electrolyte design, utilizing liquid-liquid interfacial tension.
- Fluorinated droplets were propelled towards electrodes by interfacial tension, not electric fields.
- This method facilitates the formation of fluoride-rich interphases on both anode and cathode.
Main Results:
- The micro-emulsion electrolyte successfully created protective, fluoride-rich interphases on both electrodes.
- Two pouch full cells achieved high energy densities of 531 Wh/kg and 547 Wh/kg.
- These cells demonstrated excellent cycling stability, retaining 81% and 79% capacity after 189 and 155 cycles, respectively.
Conclusions:
- The micro-emulsion strategy effectively enhances interphase construction, decoupling it from solvation structure.
- Liquid-liquid interfacial tension offers a new perspective for interphase regulation and electrolyte design.
- This approach paves the way for developing high-voltage lithium-metal batteries with superior performance.
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