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1. Electrolyte Interphases in Aqueous Batteries

   https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202312585  

   Sui, Yiming; Ji, Xiulei (October 2023, Angewandte Chemie International Edition)

   Abstract The narrow electrochemical stability window of water poses a challenge to the development of aqueous electrolytes. In contrast to non‐aqueous electrolytes, the products of water electrolysis do not contribute to the formation of a passivation layer on electrodes. As a result, aqueous electrolytes require the reactions of additional components, such as additives and co‐solvents, to facilitate the formation of the desired solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the anode and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on the cathode. This review highlights the fundamental principles and recent advancements in generating electrolyte interphases in aqueous batteries. 

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2. Lithium battery electrolyte under nanoconfinement

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102496  

   Zhao, Yulong; Mu, Anthony U; Guo, Zhengwei; Cai, Guorui; Chen, Zheng (March 2025, Cell Reports Physical Science)

   The physical and chemical properties of electrolytes have significant impacts on battery performance. The concept of nanoconfinement has been proposed as an innovative modification strategy to address challenges related to the thermal stability, ion transport efficiency, and electrochemical stability of electrolytes. This involves confining electrolytes within nanoscale or sub-nanoscale spaces, leading to improvements in their physicochemical properties, such as increased boiling points, optimized ion migration, regulated ion concentration gradients, effective ion sieving, accelerated charge transfer, and suppressed side reactions. In this perspective article, we highlight the substantial potential of these approaches for extending the cycle life, broadening operational conditions, and enhancing the safety of lithium-based batteries. Additionally, the challenges and future research directions in this area are discussed. 

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3. Electrolyte Effect on Electrochemically Controlled Polymerizations

   https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2510-5370  

   Hern, Zachary C; Massad, Ramzi N; Diaconescu, Paula L (March 2025, Synthesis)

   Abstract Electrochemically controlled redox-switchable polymerization uses an electric potential to bias the monomer selectivity of a catalyst. Many ferrocene-appended catalysts can exist in two oxidation states, a neutral reduced state and an oxidized cationic state. Electrochemical generation of the oxidized cationic state produces a charged species whose counteranion is determined by the identity of the supporting electrolyte anion. Herein, the role the counteranion has on monomer selectivity and polymerization kinetics is investigated. Minimal differences in monomer selectivity in the reduced state was found, however, in the oxidized state, the coordinating ability of the counteranion greatly influenced the rate of polymerization. How activity differences governed by the choice of electrolyte can be utilized to access desired diblock copolymers is also described. 

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4. Assessing cathode–electrolyte interphases in batteries

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-024-01639-y  

   Xiao, Jie; Adelstein, Nicole; Bi, Yujing; Bian, Wenjuan; Cabana, Jordi; Cobb, Corie L; Cui, Yi; Dillon, Shen J; Doeff, Marca M; Islam, Saiful M; et al (December 2024, Nature Energy)
5. Interdigitated cathode–electrolyte architectural design for fast-charging lithium metal battery with lithium oxyhalide solid-state electrolyte

   https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ma00512c  

   Numan-Al-Mobin, Abu Md; Schmidt, Ben; Lannerd, Armand; Viste, Mark; Qiao, Quinn; Smirnova, Alevtina (December 2022, Materials Advances)

   The all-solid-state battery is a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries that have reached the limit of their technological capabilities. The next-generation lithium-ion batteries are expected to be eco-friendly, long-lasting, and safe while demonstrating high energy density and providing ultrafast charging. These much-needed properties require significant efforts to uncover and utilize the chemical, morphological, and electrochemical properties of solid-state electrolytes and cathode nanocomposites. Here we report solid-state electrochemical cells based on lithium oxyhalide electrolyte that is produced by melt-casting. This method results in enhanced cathode/electrolyte interfaces that allow exceptionally high charging rates (>4000C) while maintaining the electrochemical stability of solid-state electrolyte in the presence of lithium metal anode and lithium iron phosphate-based cathode. The cells exhibit long cycle life (>1800 cycles at 100 °C) and offer a promising route to the next-generation all-solid-state battery technology. 

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