Issue 3, 2021

High transference number enabled by sulfated zirconia superacid for lithium metal batteries with carbonate electrolytes

Abstract

The prospect of increasing the energy density has promoted research on lithium metal batteries. Yet, avoiding the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites and the resulting interfacial instability to ensure the practical viability of the given battery technology remains a considerable challenge. Here, we report coating the separator with sulfated zirconia superacid to achieve a high lithium ion transference number of 0.85 and excellent cycle life when a full-cell paired with a LiNi0.82Co0.07Mn0.11O2 cathode was tested in a carbonate electrolyte under practical operating conditions. The exceptionally high transference number is attributed to strengthened binding of the PF6 anion of the lithium salt with the superacid. Furthermore, the presence of the superacid induces a mechanically stable solid–electrolyte-interphase (SEI) layer rich in LixPOyFz. This study demonstrates the beneficial effect of the superacid on emerging post-lithium-ion batteries by immobilizing the anion of the salt as well as modifying the SEI composition.

Graphical abstract: High transference number enabled by sulfated zirconia superacid for lithium metal batteries with carbonate electrolytes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
19 Dec 2020
Accepted
09 Feb 2021
First published
09 Feb 2021

Energy Environ. Sci., 2021,14, 1420-1428

High transference number enabled by sulfated zirconia superacid for lithium metal batteries with carbonate electrolytes

S. Woo, E. Hwang, H. Kang, H. Lee, J. Lee, H. Kim, G. Jeong, D. Yoo, J. Lee, S. Kim, J. Yu and J. W. Choi, Energy Environ. Sci., 2021, 14, 1420 DOI: 10.1039/D0EE03967E

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