Anion-modulated Ion Conductor with Chain Conformational Transformation for stabilizing Interfacial Phase of High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries

In solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs), the inhomogeneous electrolyte-electrode interphase layer aggravates the interfacial stability, leading to discontinuous interfacial ion/charge transport and continuous degradation of the electrolyte. Herein, we constructed an anion-modulated ionic conductor (AMIC) that enables in situ construction of electrolyte/electrode interphases for high-voltage SSLMBs by exploiting conformational transitions under multiple interactions between polymer and lithium salt anions. Anions modulate the decomposition behavior of supramolecular poly (vinylene carbonate) (PVC) at the electrode interface by changing the spatial conformation of the polymer chains, which further enhances ion transport and stabilizes the interfacial morphology. In addition, the AMIC weakens the "Li+-solvation" and increases Li+ vehicle sites, thereby enhancing the lithium-ion transport number (tLi +=~0.67). Consequently, Li || LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cell maintains about 85 % capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency >99.8 % in 200 cycles at a charge cut-off voltage of 4.5 V. This study provides a new understanding of lithium salt anions regulating polymer chain segment behavior in the solid-state polymer electrolyte (SPE) and highlights the importance of the ion environment in the construction of interfacial phases and ionic conduction.

Eutectic-Based Polymer Electrolyte with the Enhanced Lithium Salt Dissociation for High-Performance Lithium Metal Batteries

The deployment of lithium metal anode in solid-state batteries with polymer electrolytes has been recognized as a promising approach to achieving high-energy-density technologies. However, the practical application of the polymer electrolytes is currently constrained by various challenges, including low ionic conductivity, inadequate electrochemical window, and poor interface stability. To address these issues, a novel eutectic-based polymer electrolyte consisting of succinonitrile (SN) and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) is developed. The research results demonstrate that the interactions between SN and PEGMEA promote the dissociation of the lithium difluoro(oxalato) borate (LiDFOB) salt and increase the concentration of free Li+ . The well-designed eutectic-based PAN1.2 -SPE (PEGMEA: SN=1: 1.2 mass ratio) exhibits high ionic conductivity of 1.30 mS cm-1 at 30 °C and superior interface stability with Li anode. The Li/Li symmetric cell based on PAN1.2 -SPE enables long-term plating/stripping at 0.3 and 0.5 mA cm-2 , and the Li/LiFePO4 cell achieves superior long-term cycling stability (capacity retention of 80.3 % after 1500 cycles). Moreover, Li/LiFePO4 and Li/LiNi0.6 Co0.2 Mn0.2 O2 pouch cells employing PAN1.2 -SPE demonstrate excellent cycling and safety characteristics. This study presents a new pathway for designing high-performance polymer electrolytes and promotes the practical application of high-stable lithium metal batteries.