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Title: Design rules for liquid crystalline electrolytes for enabling dendrite-free lithium metal batteries

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Significance Lithium metal anodes offer a promising approach to improve the energy density of batteries to enable electrification of transportation. Dendrite suppression plagues the safety and cycle life of lithium metal anodes. In this work, we perform a comprehensive analysis of the use of liquid crystalline electrolytes in lithium metal anodes. We report theoretical demonstration of spontaneous stabilization of metal-electrode position using a liquid crystalline electrolyte due to the energy that arises when the molecules of the liquid crystal reorient. Building on this, we develop a comprehensive set of molecular-level design rules that will pave the way toward the realization of this new class of electrolytes for practical lithium metal batteries.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
Grant/Contract Number:
AR0000774
OSTI ID:
1671829
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 43 Vol. 117; ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher:
Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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