Fluorine-free electrolytes for sustainable lithium batteries: a review

Modern lithium battery electrolytes rely on fluorinated components to enhance performance and functionality, but such schemes raise safety, environmental, and cost concerns due to hydrogen fluoride generation and hazardous production. As a result, fluorine-free alternatives are under active investigation. This review highlights fundamental insights and recent advances in fluorine-free salts, solvents, additives, and interphases, along with associated challenges and opportunities, offering sustainable solutions potentially competitive with conventional fluorinated electrolytes.