Rational Design of the Li+-Solvation Structure Contributes to Constructing a Robust Cathode-Electrolyte Interphase for a 5 V High-Voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode

Spinel oxide LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) presents great potential for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high working potential (∼4.7 V vs Li/Li+) and low cost. Nevertheless, the lack of a competent electrolyte restricts its application. We develop a battery of LiPF6-based localized high-concentration electrolytes containing dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE). As the volume ratio of TTE to DMC augments, the percentage of free DMC and PF6– and the solvation number of Li+ reduce. The proper Li+-solvation structure contributes to forming a robust PF6–-derived LiF enriched cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI). The Li||LNMO cell in the 1M LiPF6-DMC/TTE (1:2, V/V) (1M-DT12) electrolyte exhibits wonderful cycling stability (97.5%, after 100 cycles at 1C), superior rate capability (124.0 mA h/g at 5C), and significantly enhanced low-temperature performance (83.1 mA h/g, 0.1C at −30 °C). This work illustrates the rational design of the Li+-solvation structure in the LiPF6-based electrolyte to obtain robust PF6–-derived LiF enriched CEI for a high-voltage LNMO cathode.