High energy electron beam irradiation on the electrolyte enables fast-charging of lithium metal battery with long-term cycling stability

Abstract

Electron beam (E-beam) irradiation serves as a pivotal tool within the realms of materials science, nanotechnology, and microelectronics. Its application is instrumental in altering the physical and chemical properties of materials, which enabling the exploration of material characteristics and fosters the advent of novel technologies advancements. In this work, to investigate the effect of E-beam irradiation on the electrolyte of lithium-metal batteries, a commercially available carbonate based electrolyte LB-085 was exposed to E-beam irradiation at different doses (10, 25, 50 kGy), significantly alters the chemical composition of the electrolyte and modifies various physical parameters. It effectively mitigates interfacial side reactions that occur during the cycles of an electrode, securing a stable solid state electrolyte interphase (SEI) characterized by high ionic conductivity. This, in turn, facilitates rapid charging performance of the battery. The lithium metal full-cell assembled with LiNi0.91Co0.06Mn0.03O2 (NCM91 ) demonstrates superior capacity retention, exceeded 80% after 450 cycles 4C rate and after 600 cycles at 6C rate with an irradiation dose of 50 kGy on the electrolyte. This research pioneers fresh perspectives for electrolyte optimization, focusing on enhancing the rapid charging performance of batteries.