Amphiphilic molecule-assisted perfluoro-alkanes electrolyte for low temperature lithium metal batteries

Low-temperature working is a big challenge for lithium metal batteries (LMBs), as the efficiency and dendrite growth problems are exacerbated at lower temperature, and meanwhile the impact of slow ion-transfer and difficult ion-desovation is intensified. Herein, the amphiphilic effect of hydrofluoroether was revealed, and fully utilized to construct a nonflammable perfluoro-alkanes electrolyte. With the well-regulated Li+ solvation and the purposedly tuned SEI, the electrolyte brought highly reversible Li deposition from − 60 °C to 60 °C. As a result, Li/LiFePO4 cell (1.5 mAh cm−2) with thin Li anode presented ultra-long cycling life. The work supplies a new design concept for low-temperature LMBs electrolyte.