Electrolyte engineering promoting high-specific-energy lithium batteries in low-temperature environments

Abstract

Lithium batteries have become one of the preferred power sources for various external devices due to their high energy density, mature industrial infrastruture, and diverse applications. However, the increasing demands for enhanced functionality, broader operating conditions, and increased robustness in next-generation devices highlight a critical challenge: the poor performance of lithium batteries in low-temperature environments. At low temperatures, slow lithium-ion diffusion and charge transfer dynamics, closely linked to the electrolyte, significantly hinder battery performance. The electrolyte, which facilitates ionic transport and mediates various interfacial reactions between electrodes, is pivotal in addressing these limitations. This review identifies five key factors limiting battery performance in low-temperature environments and outlines comprehensive optimization strategies to address them. These include the engineering regulation of individual electrolyte components and the compatibility coordination among various components. We thoroughly elucidate the mechanisms behind existing optimization strategies and propose future development directions and prospects for advancing low-temperature lithium battery electrolytes. By intergrating rapidly evolving interdisciplinary strategies, this discussion aims to overcome the current limitations and pave the way for the next generation of high-performance lithium batteries for low-temperature environments.