Advancing lithium metal electrode beyond 99.9% coulombic efficiency via super-saturated electrolyte with compressed solvation structure

Lithium metal negative electrode is pivotal for advancing high-energy-density lithium batteries. Despite their promise, the inherent poor interfacial stability of electrolytes on lithium metal and the repeated reconstruction of the solid electrolyte interphase lead to continuous consumption of active Li and electrolyte, causing rapid failure of Li metal batteries under practical conditions. Here, we propose compressing the spacing between Li ions and anions to recruit more anions around Li ions, forming tighter solvation clusters, and then achieving the super-saturated electrolyte with a 16 M Li salt concentration in the solvent phase. This compressed solvation structure electrolyte demonstrates enhanced…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: No. 92372201 and No.22239002