Efficient anion solvation modulation in carbonate electrolytes enables high-voltage lithium metal batteries.

Developing electrolytes qualified for high-voltage (>4 V vs Li/Li+) conditions is of great significance for high-energy density Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Carbonate-based electrolytes possess high oxidation stability, whereas the uneven Li deposition, low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and poor anodic stability of such electrolytes severely impede the practical application in high-voltage LMBs. Herein, a 1.8 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide (LiTFSI)-carbonate electrolyte with high compatibility with both Li anode and high-voltage cathode is designed. LiNO 3 is introduced into the electrolyte as an additive with the assistance of CuF 2 cosolvent, which efficiently enables robust and conductive interfaces at both anode and cathode sides. As a consequence, an average CE of 98.0% is achieved for Li||Cu half-cell at 1 mA cm−2. Li||LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 full cell fabricated with cathode areal capacity of 2.4 mAh cm−2 and 5× excess Li achieves a high capacity retention of 80.7% after 200 cycles with cut-off voltage of 4.3 V. This work provides a facile and effective approach to improve the application of carbonate-based electrolytes in high-voltage LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]