Enhancing Li⁺ Transport in NMC811||Graphite Lithium-Ion Batteries at Low Temperatures by Using Low-Polarity-Solvent Electrolytes

Authors

Bo Nan, University of Maryland, College Park
Long Chen, University of Maryland, College Park
Nuwanthi D. Rodrigo, University of Rhode Island
Oleg Borodin, U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Nan Piao, University of Maryland, College Park
Jiale Xia, University of Maryland, College Park
Travis Pollard, U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Singyuk Hou, University of Maryland, College Park
Jiaxun Zhang, University of Maryland, College Park
Xiao Ji, University of Maryland, College Park
Jijian Xu, University of Maryland, College Park
Xiyue Zhang, University of Maryland, College Park
Lin Ma, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Xinzi He, University of Maryland, College Park
Sufu Liu, University of Maryland, College Park
Hongli Wan, University of Maryland, College Park
Enyuan Hu, Brookhaven National Laboratory Chemistry Division
Weiran Zhang, University of Maryland, College Park
Kang Xu, U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Xiao Qing Yang, Brookhaven National Laboratory Chemistry Division
Brett Lucht, University of Rhode Island
Chunsheng Wang, University of Maryland, College Park

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

8-26-2022

Abstract

LiNixCoyMnzO2 (x+y+z=1)||graphite lithium-ion battery (LIB) chemistry promises practical applications. However, its low-temperature (≤ −20 °C) performance is poor because the increased resistance encountered by Li+ transport in and across the bulk electrolytes and the electrolyte/electrode interphases induces capacity loss and battery failures. Though tremendous efforts have been made, there is still no effective way to reduce the charge transfer resistance (Rct) which dominates low-temperature LIBs performance. Herein, we propose a strategy of using low-polarity-solvent electrolytes which have weak interactions between the solvents and the Li+ to reduce Rct, achieving facile Li+ transport at sub-zero temperatures. The exemplary electrolyte enables LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2||graphite cells to deliver a capacity of ≈113 mAh g−1 (98 % full-cell capacity) at 25 °C and to remain 82 % of their room-temperature capacity at −20 °C without lithium plating at 1/3C. They also retain 84 % of their capacity at −30 °C and 78 % of their capacity at −40 °C and show stable cycling at 50 °C.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Volume

61

Issue

35

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Nan, Bo, Long Chen, Nuwanthi D. Rodrigo, Oleg Borodin, Nan Piao, Jiale Xia, Travis Pollard, Singyuk Hou, Jiaxun Zhang, Xiao Ji, Jijian Xu, Xiyue Zhang, Lin Ma, Xinzi He, Sufu Liu, Hongli Wan, Enyuan Hu, Weiran Zhang, Kang Xu, Xiao Qing Yang, Brett Lucht, and Chunsheng Wang. "Enhancing Li⁺ Transport in NMC811||Graphite Lithium-Ion Batteries at Low Temperatures by Using Low-Polarity-Solvent Electrolytes." Angewandte Chemie - International Edition 61, 35 (2022). doi: 10.1002/anie.202205967.