Lithium (Li)m etal anodes hold great promise for next-generation high-energy-density batteries,w hile the insufficient fundamental understanding of the complex solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is the major obstacle for the full demonstration of their potential in working batteries.T he characteristics of SEI highly depend on the inner solvation structure of lithium ions (Li + ). Herein, we clarify the critical significance of cosolvent properties on both Li + solvation structure and the SEI formation on working Li metal anodes. Non-solvating and low-dielectricity (NL) cosolvents intrinsically enhance the interaction between anion and Li + by affording al ow dielectric environment. The abundant positively charged anion-cation aggregates generated as the introduction of NL cosolvents are preferentially brought to the negatively charged Li anode surface,i nducing an anionderived inorganic-richS EI. As olvent diagram is further built to illustrate that as olvent with both proper relative binding energy towardL i + and dielectric constant is suitable as NL cosolvent.

Rechargeable batteries have become indispensable implements in our daily life and are considered a promising technology to construct sustainable energy systems in the future. The liquid electrolyte is one of the most important parts of a battery and is extremely critical in stabilizing the electrode–electrolyte interfaces and constructing safe and long-life-span batteries. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to developing new electrolyte solvents, salts, additives, and recipes, where molecular dynamics (MD) simulations play an increasingly important role in exploring electrolyte structures, physicochemical properties such as ionic conductivity, and interfacial reaction mechanisms. This review affords an overview of applying MD simulations in the study of liquid electrolytes for rechargeable batteries. First, the fundamentals and recent theoretical progress in three-class MD simulations are summarized, including classical, ab initio, and machine-learning MD simulations (section 2). Next, the application of MD simulations to the exploration of liquid electrolytes, including probing bulk and interfacial structures (section 3), deriving macroscopic properties such as ionic conductivity and dielectric constant of electrolytes (section 4), and revealing the electrode–electrolyte interfacial reaction mechanisms (section 5), are sequentially presented. Finally, a general conclusion and an insightful perspective on current challenges and future directions in applying MD simulations to liquid electrolytes are provided. Machine-learning technologies are highlighted to figure out these challenging issues facing MD simulations and electrolyte research and promote the rational design of advanced electrolytes for next-generation rechargeable batteries.

High-energy-density lithium (Li) metal batteries are severely hindered by the dendritic Li deposition dictated by non-uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Despite its unique advantages in improving the uniformity of Li deposition, the current anion-derived SEI is unsatisfactory under practical conditions. Herein regulating the electrolyte structure of anions by anion receptors was proposed to construct stable anion-derived SEI. Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFPB) anion acceptors with electron-deficient boron atoms interact with bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide anions (FSI À ) and decrease the reduction stability of FSI À . Furthermore, the type of aggregate cluster of FSI À in electrolyte changes, FSI À interacting with more Li ions in the presence of TPFPB. Therefore, the decomposition of FSI À to form Li 2 S is promoted, improving the stability of anion-derived SEI. In working Li j LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 batteries under practical conditions, the anion-derived SEI with TPFPB undergoes 194 cycles compared with 98 cycles of routine anion-derived SEI. This work inspires a fresh ground to construct stable anion-derived SEI by manipulating the electrolyte structure of anions.

The dielectric constant is a crucial physicochemical property of liquids in tuning solute–solvent interactions and solvation microstructures. Herein the dielectric constant variation of liquid electrolytes regarding to temperatures and electrolyte compositions is probed by molecular dynamics simulations. Dielectric constants of solvents reduce as temperatures increase due to accelerated mobility of molecules. For solvent mixtures with different mixing ratios, their dielectric constants either follow a linear superposition rule or satisfy a polynomial function, depending on weak or strong intermolecular interactions. Dielectric constants of electrolytes exhibit a volcano trend with increasing salt concentrations, which can be attributed to dielectric contributions from salts and formation of solvation structures. This work affords an atomic insight into the dielectric constant variation and its chemical origin, which can deepen the fundamental understanding of solution chemistry.

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Sub‐freezing temperature presents a significant challenge to the survival of current Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) as it leads to low capacity retention and poor cell rechargeability. The electrolyte in commercial LIBs relies too heavily on ethylene carbonate (EC) to produce a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on graphite (Gr) anodes, but its high melting point (36.4 °C) severely restricts ion transport below 0 °C, causing energy loss and Li plating. Here, a class of EC‐free electrolytes that exhibits remarkable low‐temperature performance without compromising cell lifespan is reported. It is found that at sub‐zero temperatures, EC forms highly resistive SEI that seriously impedes electrode kinetics, whereas EC‐free electrolytes create a highly stable, low‐impedance SEI through anion decomposition, which boosts capacity retention and eliminates Li plating during charging. Pouch‐type LiCoO2 (LCO)|Gr cells with EC‐free electrolytes sustain 900 cycles at 25 °C with 1 C charge/discharge, and LiNi0.85Co0.10Al0.05O2 (NCA)|Gr cells last 300 cycles at −15 °C with 0.3 C charge, both among the best‐performing in the literature under comparable conditions. Even at −50 °C, the NCA|Gr cell with EC‐free electrolytes still delivers 76% of its room‐temperature capacity, outperforming EC‐based electrolytes.

Aqueous zinc–air batteries possess inherent safety and are especially commendable facing high‐temperature working conditions. However, their working feasibility at high temperatures has seldom been investigated. Herein, the working feasibility of high‐temperature zinc–air batteries is systemically investigated. The effects of temperature on air cathode, zinc anode, and aqueous electrolyte are decoupled to identify the favorable and unfavorable factors. Specifically, parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction strengthens at high temperatures and leads to declined anode Faraday efficiency, which is identified as the main bottleneck. Moreover, zinc–air batteries demonstrate cycling feasibility at 80 °C. This work reveals the potential of zinc–air batteries to satisfy energy storage at high temperatures and guides further development of advanced batteries towards harsh working conditions.

Efficient energy storage at low temperatures starves for competent battery techniques. Herein, inherent advantages of zinc-air batteries on low-temperature electrochemical energy storage are discovered. The electrode reactions are resistive against low temperatures to render feasible working zinc-air batteries under sub-zero temperatures. The relatively reduced ionic conductivity of electrolyte is identified as the main limiting factor, which can be addressed by employing a CsOH-based electrolyte through regulating the solvation structures. Accordingly, 500 cycles with a stable voltage gap of 0.8 V at 5.0 mA cm À2 is achieved at À10 8C. This work reveals the promising potential of zinc-air batteries for low-temperature electrochemical energy storage and inspires advanced battery systems under extreme working conditions.