Recent progress in ether-based electrolytes for high-voltage lithium metal batteries
(State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)
Abstract: Ether-based solvents generally show better affinity for lithium metal, and thus ether-based electrolytes (EBEs) are more inclined to form a uniform and thin solid electrolyte interface (SEI), ensuring the long cycle stability of the lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Nonetheless, EBEs still face the challenge of oxidative decomposition under high voltage, which will corrode the structure of cathodes, destroy the stability of the electrode-electrolyte interface, and even cause safety risks. Herein, the types and challenges of EBEs are reviewed, the strategies for improving the high voltage stability of EBEs and constructing stable electrode-electrolyte interfaces are discussed in detail. Finally, the future perspectives and potential directions for composition optimization of EBEs and electrolyte-electrode interface regulation of high-voltage LMBs are explored.
Key words: ether-based electrolyte; lithium metal batteries; high voltage; solvation structure; electrode-electrolyte interfaces