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Title: Electron Delocalization Enables Sulfone-based Single-solvent Electrolyte for Lithium Metal Batteries

Journal Article · · Angewandte Chemie

Abstract Li‐metal batteries (LMB), although providing high energy density, face the grand challenge of identifying good electrolyte solvents for cycling. Common solvents are either only stable against lithium metal anode or only stable against LiNi x Mn y Co 1‐ x ‐ y O 2 (NMC) cathode. There is significant effort trying to increase the cathode stability for ether electrolytes, which are in general stable against lithium metal anode. In comparison, there is much less effort trying to increase the anode stability of electrolytes that are stable against NMC cathode. One example is the sulfone‐based electrolyte. It has good cathode stability but is hindered from practical application because of (1) high viscosity and poor wetting capability and (2) poor anode stability. Here, we solve these issues by modifying the sulfone molecules using resonance and electron withdrawing effect. The viscosity is significantly reduced by delocalizing the electrons through introducing additional oxygen on the molecular backbone and applying appropriate fluorination. The resulting molecule 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl mesylate (TFEM) has decreased Lewis basicity and less reactivity toward Li + . The electrolyte based on TFEM as single solvent enables cycling of LMB under harsh conditions of low N/P ratio (21 mg/cm 2 NMC811 and 50 μm Li) with 90 % capacity retention after 160 cycles at C/3 discharge rate.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO); USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0012704
OSTI ID:
2008213
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2005011
Report Number(s):
BNL-224881-2023-JAAM
Journal Information:
Angewandte Chemie, Vol. 135, Issue 44; ISSN 0044-8249
Publisher:
German Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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