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1. Stabilizing electrode–electrolyte interfaces to realize high-voltage Li||LiCoO 2 batteries by a sulfonamide-based electrolyte

   https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ee01265g  

   Xue, Weijiang ; Gao, Rui ; Shi, Zhe ; Xiao, Xianghui ; Zhang, Wenxu ; Zhang, Yirui ; Zhu, Yun Guang ; Waluyo, Iradwikanari ; Li, Yao ; Hill, Megan R. ; et al ( November 2021 , Energy & Environmental Science)

   High-voltage lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) with LiCoO 2 (LCO) as the cathode have high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities. However, it remains a challenge for stable cycling of LCO >4.5 V Li . Here we demonstrate that a rationally designed sulfonamide-based electrolyte can greatly improve the cycling stability at high voltages up to 4.7 V Li by stabilizing the electrode–electrolyte interfaces (EEIs) on both the Li-metal anode (LMA) and high-voltage LCO cathode. With the sulfonamide-based electrolyte, commercial LCO cathodes retain 89% and 85% of their capacities after 200 and 100 cycles under high charging voltages of 4.55 V Li and 4.6 V Li , respectively, significantly outperforming traditional carbonate-based electrolytes. The surface degradation, impedance growth, and detrimental side reactions in terms of gas evolution and Co dissolution are well suppressed. Our work demonstrates a promising strategy for designing new electrolytes to realize high-energy Li||LCO batteries. 

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2. Polymer–inorganic solid–electrolyte interphase for stable lithium metal batteries under lean electrolyte conditions

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-019-0305-8  

   Gao, Yue ; Yan, Zhifei ; Gray, Jennifer L. ; He, Xin ; Wang, Daiwei ; Chen, Tianhang ; Huang, Qingquan ; Li, Yuguang C. ; Wang, Haiying ; Kim, Seong H. ; et al ( April 2019 , Nature Materials)
3. 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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4. Stabilizing cathode-electrolyte interphase of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 high-voltage spinel by blending garnet solid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.232748  

   Jiao, Xinwei ; Rao, Lalith ; Yap, Junwei ; Yu, Chan-Yeop ; Kim, Jung-Hyun ( March 2023 , Journal of Power Sources)
5. Cryo‐Electron Tomography of Highly Deformable and Adherent Solid‐Electrolyte Interphase Exoskeleton in Li‐Metal Batteries with Ether‐Based Electrolyte

   https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202108252  

   Han, Bing ; Li, Xiangyan ; Wang, Qi ; Zou, Yucheng ; Xu, Guiyin ; Cheng, Yifeng ; Zhang, Zhen ; Zhao, Yusheng ; Deng, Yonghong ; Li, Ju ; et al ( February 2022 , Advanced Materials)

   The 3D nanocomposite structure of plated lithium (Li_Metal) and solid electrolyte interphases (SEI), including a polymer‐rich surficial passivation layer (SEI exoskeleton) and inorganic SEI “fossils” buried inside amorphous Li matrix, is resolved using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. With ether‐based DOLDME‐LiTFSI electrolyte, LiF and Li₂O nanocrystals are formed and embedded in a thin but tough amorphous polymer in the SEI exoskeleton. The fast Li‐stripping directions are along or , which produces eight exposed {111} planes at halfway charging. Full Li stripping produces completely sagging, empty SEI husks that can sustain large bending and buckling, with the smallest bending radius of curvature observed approaching tens of nanometers without apparent damage. In the 2nd round of Li plating, a thin Li_BCCsheet first nucleates at the current collector, extends to the top end of the deflated SEI husk, and then expands its thickness. The apparent zero wetting angle between Li_BCCand the SEI interior means that the heterogeneous nucleation energy barrier is zero. Due to its complete‐wetting property and chemo‐mechanical stability, the SEI largely prevents further reactions between the Li metal and the electrolyte, which explains the superior performance of Li‐metal batteries with ether‐based electrolytes. However, uneven refilling of the SEI husks results in dendrite protrusions and some new SEI formation during the 2nd plating. A strategy to form bigger SEI capsules during the initial cycle with higher energy density than the following cycles enables further enhanced Coulombic efficiency to above 99%.

    

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