Stabilizing Graphite Anode in Electrolytes with Nanoscale Anion Networking for High-Rate Lithium Storage
Graphite is the preferred anode material in commercial lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), but its limited compatibility with various organic molecules restricts the electrolyte solvent options. The primary challenge is solvent co-intercalation with Li ions, leading to graphite layer exfoliation. As a result, electrolyte selection often relies on ethylene carbonate (EC)-based solvents. In this study, we introduce electrolytes featuring a nanoscale anion network ordering that hinders the liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite. This network, formed from concentrated long-chain lithium salts, traps free dioxolane (DOL) molecules, reducing the interactions between graphite particles and solvents during Li intercalation. Our findings reveal a mechanism that stabilizes graphite in otherwise unstable solvents with concentrated salts like LiTFSI, providing key insights for improving LIB performance by addressing electrolyte limitations on graphite anodes.
Authors
- Kaining Duanmu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9865-8710)
- Mangilal Agarwal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3039-0073)
- Xingyi Lyu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5781-2486)
- Jiayi Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1763-6251)
- Yuzi Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8733-1683)
- Vijayakumar Murugesan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6149-1702)
- V. Shutthanandan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2957-7535)
- Yugang Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5358-9283)
- Zhengcheng Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0467-5801)
- Cong Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2145-5034)
- Tao Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4913-4486)
- Zhenzhen Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1073-3799)
- Kun Qian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9106-6237)
- Yikang Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6101-2393)
- Jian Xie
- Sungun Wi
Institutions
- Northern Illinois University (US)
- Argonne National Laboratory (US)
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (US)
- Brookhaven National Laboratory (US)
- Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
- Indiana University Indianapolis (US)
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Energy Letters
- Published
- 2024-09-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.4c02011
- Citations
- 11
- Primary Topic
- Advancements in Battery Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.30
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- U.S. Department of Energy
- Office of Science
- Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
- Basic Energy Sciences
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Brookhaven National Laboratory