Multifunctional Protection Layers via a Self-Driven Chemical Reaction To Stabilize Lithium Metal Anodes

PVDF-HFP via Localized Iodization as Interface Layer for All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries with Li6PS5Cl Films

All-solid lithium (Li) metal batteries (ASSLBs) with sulfide-based solid electrolyte (SEs) films exhibit excellent electrochemical performance, rendering them capable of satisfying the growing demand for energy storage systems. However, challenges persist in the application of SEs film owing to their reactivity with Li metal and uncontrolled formation of lithium dendrites. In this study, iodine-doped poly(vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) as an interlayer (PHI) to establish a stable interphase between Li metal and Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) films is investigated. The release of I ions and PVDF-HFP produces LiI and LiF, effectively suppressing lithium dendrite growth. Density functional theory calculations show that the synthesized interlayer layer exhibits high interfacial energy. Results show that the PHI@Li/LPSCl film/PHI@Li symmetrical cells can cycle for more than 650 h at 0.1 mA cm-2. The PHI@Li/LPSCl film/NCM622 cell exhibits a distinct enhancement in capacity retention of ≈26% when using LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NCM622) as the cathode, compared to pristine Li metal as the anode. This study presents a feasible method for producing next-generation dendrite-free SEs films, promoting their practical use in ASSLBs.

Synergistically Stabilizing Thin Li Metal through the Formation of a Stable and Highly Conductive Solid Electrolyte Interface and Silver-Lithium Alloy

In this study, a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and a Ag-Li alloy were formed through a simple slurry coating of silver (Ag) nanoparticles and Li nitrate (LiNO3) on a Li metal surface (AgLN-coated Li). The Ag-Li alloy has a high Li diffusion coefficient, which allowed the inward transfer of Li atoms, thus allowing Li to be deposited below the alloy. Moreover, the highly conductive SEI enabled the fast diffusion of Li ions corresponding to the alloy. This inward transfer resulted in dendrite suppression and improved the Coulombic efficiency (CE). The AgLN-coated Li exhibited an initial capacity retention >81% and CE > 99.7 ± 0.2% over 500 cycles at a discharge capacity of 2.3 mA h cm-2.

On the Current and Future Outlook of Battery Chemistries for Electric Vehicles—Mini Review

As the electrification of the transportation industry is accelerating, the energy storage markets are trying to secure more reliable and environmentally benign materials. Advanced materials are the key performance enablers of batteries as well as a key element determining the cost structure, environmental impact, and recyclability of battery cells. In this review, we analyzed the state-of-the-art cell chemistries and active electrode and electrolyte materials for electric vehicles batteries, which we believe will dominate the battery chemistry landscape in the next decade. We believe that major breakthroughs and innovations in electrode materials such as high-nickel cathodes and silicon and metallic lithium anodes, along with novel liquid electrolyte formulations and solid-state electrolytes, will significantly improve the specific capacity of lithium batteries and reduce their cost, leading to accelerated mass-market penetration of EVs.