Eutectogel Electrolyte Constructs Robust Interfaces for High‐Voltage Safe Lithium Metal Battery

Abstract

Abstract Dramatic growth of lithium dendrite, structural deterioration of LiCoO2 (LCO) cathode at high voltages, and unstable electrode/electrolyte interfaces pose significant obstacles to the practical application of high‐energy‐density LCO||Li batteries. In this work, a novel eutectogel electrolyte is developed by confining the nonflammable eutectic electrolyte in a polymer matrix. The eutectogel electrolyte can construct a robust solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) with inorganic‐rich LiF and Li3N, contributing to a uniform Li deposition. Besides, the severe interface side reactions between LCO cathode and electrolyte can be retarded with an in situ formed protective layer. Correspondingly, Li||Li symmetrical cells achieve highly reversible Li plating/stripping over 1000 h. The LCO||Li full cell can maintain 72.5% capacity after 1500 cycles with a decay rate of only 0.018% per cycle at a high charging voltage of 4.45 V. Moreover, the well‐designed eutectogel electrolyte can even enable the stable operation of LCO at an extremely high cutoff voltage of 4.6 V. This work introduces a promising avenue for the advancement of eutectogel electrolytes, the nonflammable nature and well‐regulated interphase significantly push forward the future application of lithium metal batteries and high‐voltage utilization of LCO cathode.

Keywords

• eutectogel electrolyte
• high voltage
• LCO cathode
• lithium metal batteries
• structure/interface stability