Scientists develop new electrolytes: significantly improve the performance of lithium-metal batteries

A new study published in Nature-Energy (Nature Energy by researchers at Stanford University shows how a brand new battery electrolyte technology can improve the performance of lithium-metal batteries.

Lithium-metal batteries are lighter than lithium-ion batteries and bring twice the energy at the same weight.So lithium-metal batteries are a more promising battery technology for electric vehicles and other devices.

However, the growth of lithium dendrite is one of the fundamental problems affecting the safety and stability of lithium metal batteries.The growth of lithium dendrite will lead to the instability of the electrode and electrolyte interface of lithium-ion batteries during the cycle, constantly consume the electrolyte and lead to the irreversible deposition of lithium metal, the formation of dead lithium resulting in low Coulomn efficiency.In addition, the formation of the lithium dendrite will even puncture the diaphragm, causing the short internal connection of the lithium-ion battery, causing the thermal control of the battery to cause combustion and explosion.

The researchers said that electrolytes are a key issue to prevent the growth of lithium clite, so we want to use organic chemistry to rationally design and manufacture new, stable electrolytes for these batteries.

In the study, the researchers added a commercially used ordinary electrolyte to the fluorine atoms and used its ability to attract electrons to create a new molecule for the lithium metal anode to play a good role in the electrolyte.The result is the generation of a new synthetic compound, simply FDMB.Fluorine is a widely used element in lithium battery electrolytes, so FDMB can be made in large quantities and very cheap.

The new electrolyte was then tested in lithium-metal batteries.It was found that after 420 times the experimental battery maintained 90% initial charge and discharge cycles.Previously, regular lithium batteries were not available after about 30 cycles.

In addition, the researchers measured the Coulomb efficiency (discharge efficiency) of lithium ions during charge and discharge, at 99.52% in the case of the half battery, and 99.98% in the full battery case.

The researchers said the research brings hope for the use of lithium-metal batteries and new hope for the development of the next generation of electric vehicles.

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