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Biphasic Electrolyte Inhibiting the Shuttle Effect of Redox Molecules in Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Author(s) -
Liu Xiao,
Song Xiaosheng,
Guo Zhijie,
Bian Tengfei,
Zhang Jin,
Zhao Yong
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.202104003
Subject(s) - electrolyte , lithium (medication) , redox , faraday efficiency , anode , electrochemistry , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , battery (electricity) , solubility , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , electrode , medicine , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , endocrinology
Redox molecules (RMs) as electron carriers have been widely used in electrochemical energy‐storage devices (ESDs), such as lithium redox flow batteries and lithium‐O 2 batteries. Unfortunately, migration of RMs to the lithium (Li) anode leads to side reactions, resulting in reduced coulombic efficiency and early cell death. Our proof‐of‐concept study utilizes a biphasic organic electrolyte to resolve this issue, in which nonafluoro‐1,1,2,2‐tetrahydrohexyl‐trimethoxysilane (NFTOS) and ether (or sulfone) with lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide (LiTFSI) can be separated to form the immiscible anolyte and catholyte. RMs are extracted to the catholyte due to the enormous solubility coefficients in the biphasic electrolytes with high and low polarity, resulting in inhibition of the shuttle effect. When coupled with a lithium anode, the Li‐Li symmetric, Li redox flow and Li‐O 2 batteries can achieve considerably prolonged cycle life with biphasic electrolytes. This concept provides a promising strategy to suppress the shuttle effect of RMs in ESDs.