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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
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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Ionic Liquid Additive Enables Dual-Interfacial Stabilization for High-Voltage Lithium-Metal Batteries with
Qing Ming1,2,3, Said Amzil2, Lei Zhang1,2
1School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, P.R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 23, 2026
Summary
Adding a trace of EMIM-OTf ionic liquid to low-concentration electrolytes enhances lithium-metal battery performance. This boosts capacity retention and improves interfacial stability for advanced high-voltage applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Advanced lithium-metal batteries require electrolytes balancing stability and ion transport.
- High-voltage cathodes and lithium anodes present interfacial challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of EMIM-OTf as a trace additive in low-concentration electrolytes (LCEs).
- To enhance interfacial stability and ion transport for high-voltage lithium-metal batteries.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMIM-OTf) into LCEs.
- Electrochemical testing of NCM811||Li full cells under stringent conditions (0.4 M Li salt, 4.6 V cutoff, 1.0 C).
- Analysis of Li-ion solvation structure and Li deposition morphology.
Main Results:
- 45% enhancement in capacity retention compared to baseline LCE (77.6% after 200 cycles).
- Improved Li plating/stripping Coulombic efficiency and more uniform Li deposition.
- Suppression of parasitic reactions at high voltages while maintaining ion transport.
Conclusions:
- Trace EMIM-OTf effectively stabilizes both anode and cathode interfaces in LCEs.
- This strategy offers a practical, cost-effective route to high-energy lithium-metal batteries.
- Expands design principles for low-concentration electrolytes in next-generation batteries.
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