Phase Transfer‐Mediated Degradation of Ether‐Based Localized High‐Concentration Electrolytes in Alkali Metal Batteries
- College of Chemical Engineering Sichuan University Chengdu 610065 P. R. China
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The Ohio State University 100 West 18th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
Localized high‐concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) have attracted interest in alkali metal batteries due to the advantages of forming stable solid‐electrolyte interphases (SEIs) on anodes and good chemical/electrochemical stability. Herein, a new degradation mechanism is revealed for ether‐based LHCEs that questions their compatibility with alkali metal anodes (Li, Na, and K). Specifically, the ether solvent reacts with alkali metals to generate solvated electrons (e s − ) that attack hydrofluoroether co‐solvents to form a series of byproducts. The ether solvent essentially acts as a phase‐transfer reagent that continuously transfers electrons from solid‐phase metals into the solution phase, thus inhibiting the formation of stable SEI and leading to continuous alkali metal corrosion. Switching to an ester‐based solvating solvent or intercalation anodes such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide has been shown to avoid such a degradation mechanism due to the absence of e s − .
- Research Organization:
- The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- China Scholarship Council (CSC); Sichuan University; USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- FG02-07ER46427
- OSTI ID:
- 1880363
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1880364
OSTI ID: 1904632
- Journal Information:
- Angewandte Chemie (International Edition), Journal Name: Angewandte Chemie (International Edition) Journal Issue: 33 Vol. 61; ISSN 1433-7851
- Publisher:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- Germany
- Language:
- English