Thermodynamic and Kinetic Behaviors of Electrolytes Mediated by Intermolecular Interactions Enabling High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

Electrolyte solvation chemistry regulated by lithium salts, solvents, and additives has garnered significant attention since it is the most effective strategy for designing high-performance electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, achieving a delicate balance is a persistent challenge, given that excessively strong or weak Li⁺-solvent coordination markedly undermines electrolyte properties, including thermodynamic redox stability and Li⁺-desolvation kinetics, limiting the practical applications. Herein, we elucidate the crucial influence of solvent-solvent interactions in modulating the Li⁺-solvation structure to enhance electrolyte thermodynamic and kinetic properties. As a paradigm, by combining strongly coordinated propylene carbonate (PC) with weakly coordinated cyclopentylmethyl ether (CPME), we identified intermolecular interactions between PC and CPME using ¹H-¹H correlation spectroscopy. Experimental and computational findings underscore the crucial role of solvent-solvent interactions in regulating Li⁺-solvent/anion interactions, which can enhance both the thermodynamic (i.e., antireduction capability) and kinetic (i.e., Li⁺-desolvation process) aspects of electrolytes. Additionally, we introduced an interfacial model to reveal the intricate relationship between solvent-solvent interactions, electrolyte properties, and electrode interfacial behaviors at a molecular scale. This study provides valuable insights into the critical impact of solvent-solvent interactions on electrolyte properties, which are pivotal for guiding future efforts in functionalized electrolyte engineering for metal-ion batteries.