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Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) argyrodites offer high room temperature ionic conductivity (>1 mS cm−1) and are among the most promising solid electrolytes. However, their chemical instability against Li metal compromises the long‐term cyclability. Using PEO‐LiTFSI as an interlayer or as a matrix for composite electrolytes is a promising strategy to address this issue. Nevertheless, the interphase of PEO‐LiTFSI and LPSCl requires further detailed investigations. This work explores the interfacial reactions between these phases using solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance. Results show that PEO facilitates the formation of a complex with LiCl and Li3PS4 from LPSCl, resulting in an interphase material with limited local mobility, thus impeding ion transport. Although the addition of Br as a dopant can improve the ionic conductivity of LPSCl by inducing disorder and generating the Li vacancies, it makes the LPSCl more susceptible to PEO and increases the extent of the interfacial reaction. 6Li–6Li EXSY experiments demonstrate spontaneous Li‐ion exchange between the PEO and the LPSCl, yet this exchange is significantly hindered by reaction products within the PEO‐LPSCl interphase, attributable to their sluggish local dynamics. This study sheds light on the complex interfacial interaction between PEO‐LiTFSI and sulfide argyrodite, providing insights into designing solid electrolytes for the new generation of electrochemical devices.

Abstract The effective flow of electrons through bulk electrodes is crucial for achieving high-performance batteries, although the poor conductivity of homocyclic sulfur molecules results in high barriers against the passage of electrons through electrode structures. This phenomenon causes incomplete reactions and the formation of metastable products. To enhance the performance of the electrode, it is important to place substitutable electrification units to accelerate the cleavage of sulfur molecules and increase the selectivity of stable products during charging and discharging. Herein, we develop a single-atom-charging strategy to address the electron transport issues in bulk sulfur electrodes. The establishment of the synergistic interaction between the adsorption model and electronic transfer helps us achieve a high level of selectivity towards the desirable short-chain sodium polysulfides during the practical battery test. These finding indicates that the atomic manganese sites have an enhanced ability to capture and donate electrons. Additionally, the charge transfer process facilitates the rearrangement of sodium ions, thereby accelerating the kinetics of the sodium ions through the electrostatic force. These combined effects improve pathway selectivity and conversion to stable products during the redox process, leading to superior electrochemical performance for room temperature sodium-sulfur batteries.

Solid-state batteries are the holy grail for the next generation of automotive batteries. The development of solid-state batteries requires efficient electrolytes to improve the performance of the cells in terms of ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, interfacial compatibility, and so on. These requirements call for the combined properties of ceramic and polymer electrolytes, making ceramic-rich polymer electrolytes a promising solution to be developed. Aligned with this aim, we have shown a surface modification of Ga substituted Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO), to be an essential strategy for the preparation of ceramic-rich electrolytes. Ceramic-rich polymer membranes with surface-modified LLZO show marked improvements in the performance, in terms of electrolyte physical and electrochemical properties, as well as coulombic efficiency, interfacial compatibility, and cyclability of solid-state cells.

Rechargeable alkali metal (i.e., lithium, sodium, potassium)‐based batteries are considered as vital energy storage technologies in modern society. However, the traditional liquid electrolytes applied in alkali metal‐based batteries mainly consist of thermally unstable salts and highly flammable organic solvents, which trigger numerous accidents related to fire, explosion, and leakage of toxic chemicals. Therefore, exploring non‐flammable electrolytes is of paramount importance for achieving safe batteries. Although replacing traditional liquid electrolytes with all‐solid‐state electrolytes is the ultimate way to solve the above safety issues, developing non‐flammable liquid electrolytes can more directly fulfill the current needs considering the low ionic conductivities and inferior interfacial properties of existing all‐solid‐state electrolytes. Moreover, the electrolyte leakage concern can be further resolved by gelling non‐flammable liquid electrolytes to obtain quasi‐solid electrolytes. Herein, a comprehensive review of the latest progress in emerging non‐flammable liquid electrolytes, including non‐flammable organic liquid electrolytes, aqueous electrolytes, and deep eutectic solvent‐based electrolytes is provided, and systematically introduce their flame‐retardant mechanisms and electrochemical behaviors in alkali metal‐based batteries. Then, the gelation techniques for preparing quasi‐solid electrolytes are also summarized. Finally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives are presented. It is anticipated that this review will promote a safety improvement of alkali metal‐based batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐organic batteries are a promising sustainable energy storage technology owing to the wide availability, flexibility, and recyclability of organic/polymeric compounds. The development of all‐organic or polymer batteries is still a challenge, as both electrode materials need to be carefully optimized to have a wide difference of redox potential and compatibility with the electrolyte. Herein, dual redox‐active polyimides based on phenothiazine and naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride units are presented. After only one optimization step, the electrodes based on these dual redox polymers can be applied simultaneously as anode and cathode in a symmetric all‐organic battery. The phenothiazine functional polyimide shows two redox active voltages at around 2.5 and 3.7 V (vs. Li/Li+) with high discharge capacities of 160 mAh g−1. Moreover, the symmetric full battery delivers high power density up to 1542 W kg−1 with stable cyclability for 1000 cycles. This work demonstrates an efficient strategy to develop dual redox active polymer electrodes for next generation all‐polymer batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and large family of boron esters of general formula Y-C((C[H.sub.2]O)([Z.sub.1]O)([Z.sub.2]O))B is described whose Lewis acidity is curbed from geometrical constraint and is tuned by electron affinity either so as to partially or fully dissolve the compounds both in battery solvent EC/DMC and in DMF. The extreme simplicity of synthesis and variability of boron-based anion carriers are a valuable addition to coordination science and also a step forward to improve present battery systems.