Application-driven design of non-aqueous electrolyte solutions through quantification of interfacial reactions in lithium metal batteries

Unwanted side reactions occurring at electrode|electrolyte interfaces significantly impact the cycling life of lithium metal batteries. However, a comprehensive view that rationalizes these interfacial reactions and assesses them both qualitatively and quantitatively is not yet established. Here, by combining multiple analytical techniques, we systematically investigate the interfacial reactions in lithium metal batteries containing ether-based non-aqueous electrolyte solutions. We quantitatively monitor various nanoscale-driven processes such as the reduction and oxidation pathways of lithium salt and organic solvents, the formation of various solid-electrolyte interphase species, the gas generation within the cell and the cross-talk processes between the electrodes. We demonstrate that the consumption of lithium ions owing to the continuous decomposition of the lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide salt, which dominates the interfacial reactions, results in ion depletion during the cell discharge and battery failure. On the basis of these findings, we propose an electrolyte formulation in which lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide content is maximized without compromising dynamic viscosity and bulk ionic conductivity, aiming for long-cycling battery performance. Following this strategy, we assemble and test Li (20 μm thickness)||LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (17.1 mg cm−2 of active material) single-layer stack pouch cells in lean electrolyte conditions (that is, 2.1 g Ah−1), which can effectively sustain 483 charge (0.2 C or 28 mA)/discharge (1 C or 140 mA) cycles at 25 °C demonstrating a discharge capacity retention of about 77%. Tailored non-aqueous electrolyte solutions are formulated using data obtained from extensive analytical measurements and analyses. These optimized electrolytes improve the cycling performance of single-layer stack lithium metal pouch cells, particularly in lean electrolyte conditions.