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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes, Assembly of Li-ion Batteries, and Measurements of Performance at High Temperature
Published on: December 20, 2016
Anion-cation synergy enables the formation of ionic liquid-derived adaptive interphases for ultra-stable zinc-metal
Kaisheng Sun1,2, Yanlei Geng1, Runan Li3
1Synergetic Extreme Condition High-Pressure Science Center, State Key Laboratory of High Pressure and Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University 130012 Changchun P. R. China lifangfei@jlu.edu.cn lliang@jlu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Ionic liquid additives offer a promising strategy for constructing solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) in zinc-metal batteries (ZMBs), yet the interfacial anion-cation synergy remains poorly understood. Herein, we introduce 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate, which in situ forms a hierarchically structured SEI consisting of an inner ion-conductive/electron-insulating ZnS sacrificial layer and an outer potential-responsive dynamic cation-anion adsorption layer (DAL). The ZnS layer originates from the decomposition of methanesulfonate anions, while the DAL consists of electrostatically anchored cations and anions that undergo real-time field-driven rearrangement for uniform Zn deposition/stripping. Additionally, the DAL reconstructs the interfacial hydrogen-bonding network, suppresses side reactions, and dynamically regulates Zn2+ adsorption energy, thereby facilitating rapid ion transport. Consequently, Zn//Zn symmetric cells achieve an ultra-long lifespan of 9000 h at 2 mA cm-2/1 mAh cm-2, while Zn//Cu cells deliver 99.6% average coulombic efficiency. This work elucidates the interfacial behavior of ionic liquid additives and provides new insights for electrolyte design toward ultra-stable ZMBs.
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