Electrolyte engineering and material modification for graphite‐based lithium‐ion batteries operated at low temperature

Abstract

Graphite offers several advantages as an anode material, including its low cost, high theoretical capacity, extended lifespan, and low Li+‐intercalation potential. However, the performance of graphite‐based lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) is limited at low temperatures due to several critical challenges, such as the decreased ionic conductivity of liquid electrolyte, sluggish Li+ desolvation process, poor Li+ diffusivity across the interphase layer and bulk graphite materials. Various approaches have therefore been explored to address these challenges. On the basis of graphite anode and corresponding LIBs, this review herein offers a comprehensive analysis of the latest advances in electrolyte engineering and electrode modification. First, electrolyte engineering is discussed in detail, highlighting the design of new electrolyte formula with broad liquid temperature range, optimized solvation structure, and well‐performed inorganic‐rich solid electrolyte interface. The advances in material modification have been then depicted with the view of improving the solid bulk diffusion rate to show general strategies with excellent performance at low temperatures. Finally, the corresponding challenges and opportunities have also been outlined to shed light on viable strategies for developing efficient and reliable graphite anode and graphite‐based LIBs under low‐temperature scenarios.

Tuning the Electrolyte and Interphasial Chemistry for All‐Climate Sodium‐ion Batteries

“…It is expected to favour a high fraction of anion‐derived inorganic components in the interphases [22] . We also observe the participation of the SN additive in Na + ‐solvation as suggested by the distinct shift to a higher wavenumber for the SN Raman band upon adding SN into the electrolyte (Supplementary Figure S1b) [12a,23] . The participation of oxidation‐stable SN molecules in Na + ‐solvation is expected to inhibit solvents’ decomposition and to increase the high‐voltage electrolyte stability, as discussed below.…”

“…We further performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectroscopy studies for insights into the altered electrolyte solvation behaviour by the introduction of EP. First, the 23 Na NMR spectra exhibit a gradual downfield shift as the volume ratio of EP increases from 10 % to 50 %, indicating the participation of EP in solvating Na + (Figure 1d). [20] The finding is further supported by the Raman spectroscopic study.…”

Weakened Solvation Structure Electrolytes Enable High-Voltage Graphite||LiCoO2 Batteries

“…In addition, previous reports have demonstrated that the EC forms an organic-rich SEI, which results in an increase in interphase impedance . On the other hand, if the EC gets oxidized at a high voltage of >4.4 V (vs Li + /Li) irreversibly, lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) can only provide a specific capacity of less than 150 mAh g –1 with the cutoff voltage of 4.3 V. − Furthermore, during the deep delithiation of LCO at a high voltage, with the assistance of the EC-based electrolytes, the dissolved Co 4+ further facilitates the side reaction of the electrolyte on the surface of the electrode, giving rise to the thick cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) and high impedance as well. − Therefore, it is necessary to improve the slow lithium-ion intercalation kinetics and the electrochemical window through the electrolyte design. − …”

SnS2 nanoparticles embedded in sulfurized polyacrylonitrile composite fibers for high‐performance potassium‐ion batteries

“…[14] Despite the above advantages, the large radius of K + (1.38 Å) hampers its insertion into electrode materials and induces significant volume changes during electrochemical reactions, incurring cracking or pulverization of electrode materials. [15][16][17] Various anode materials, such as carbonaceous materials, [18][19][20] metal alloys, [21][22][23] metal oxides, [24,25] and metal sulfides, [26][27][28][29] have been extensively studied. Among them, transition metal sulfides are attractive candidates due to their high theoretical specific capacity, low electronegativity, unique crystal structure, and good redox activity.…”