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Updated: Apr 4, 2026
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Solid-state Graft Copolymer Electrolytes for Lithium Battery Applications
Published on: August 12, 2013
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A Natural Clay LiNO3 Solubilizer for Stabilizing Lithium Metal Batteries.
Liu Yang1,2, Lu Chen1, Chunlei Song1
1Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China.
ACS Nano
|April 2, 2026
Summary
Dehydrated sepiolite enhances lithium nitrate solubility over 1000-fold, stabilizing lithium-metal batteries (LMBs). This cost-effective additive improves electrode-electrolyte interfaces for high-energy battery applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Battery Technology
Background:
- Practical deployment of lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) with Ni-rich cathodes is hindered by unstable electrode-electrolyte interfaces.
- Lithium nitrate (LiNO3) is an effective interface stabilizer but has very low solubility in carbonate electrolytes, limiting its use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a cost-effective and multifunctional solubilizer for LiNO3 to improve electrode-electrolyte interfaces in LMBs.
- To enhance the stability and energy density of Ni-rich cathode LMBs.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of dehydrated sepiolite as a LiNO3 solubilizer in carbonate electrolytes.
- Characterization of sepiolite's interaction with LiNO3 and its effect on interfacial chemistry.
- Electrochemical testing of Li//Cu, Li//Li symmetric, and Li//NCM811 full cells using the sepiolite-LiNO3 system.
Main Results:
- Dehydrated sepiolite increased LiNO3 solubility by over 1000-fold (to 13.0 mg mL-1).
- The sepiolite-LiNO3 system scavenged detrimental species (H2O, HF, transition metals) and promoted a stable Li3N-Li2O-LiF interphase.
- Li//NCM811 full cells demonstrated excellent cycling stability (84.6% capacity retention at 0.5 C after 400 cycles) and high energy density (375.1 Whkg-1).
Conclusions:
- Natural dehydrated sepiolite is a scalable and eco-friendly solution for enhancing LiNO3 solubility and stabilizing LMB interfaces.
- The developed sepiolite-LiNO3 system enables stable, high-energy LMBs by improving electrode-electrolyte integrity.
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