In-Built Quasi-Solid-State Poly-Ether Electrolytes Enabling Stable Cycling of High-Voltage and Wide-Temperature Li Metal Batteries

Y Chen and F Huo and SM Chen and WB Cai and SJ Zhang, ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, 31, 2102347 (2021).

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202102347

Developing solid-state electrolytes with good compatibility for high- voltage cathodes and reliable operation of batteries over a wide- temperature-range are two bottleneck requirements for practical applications of solid-state metal batteries (SSMBs). Here, an in situ quasi solid-state poly-ether electrolyte (SPEE) with a nano-hierarchical design is reported. A solid-eutectic electrolyte is employed on the cathode surface to achieve highly-stable performance in thermodynamic and electrochemical aspects. This performance is mainly due to an improved compatibility in the electrode/electrolyte interface by nano- hierarchical SPEE and a reinforced interface stability, resulting in superb-cyclic stability in Li||Li symmetric batteries (>4000 h at 1 mA cm(-2)/1 mAh cm(-2); >2000 h at 1 mA cm(-2)/4 mAh cm(-2)), which are the same for Na, K, and Zn batteries. The SPEE enables outstanding cycle- stability for wide-temperature operation (15-100 degrees C) and 4 V-above batteries (Li||LiCoO2 and Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2). The work paves the way for development of practical SSMBs that meet the demands for wide-temperature applicability, high-energy density, long lifespan, and mass production.

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