Homogeneous and Fast Li-Ion Transport Enabled by a Novel Metal–Organic-Framework-Based Succinonitrile Electrolyte for Dendrite-Free Li Deposition

Lithium (Li) metal has emerged as a promising electrode material for high-energy-density batteries. However, serious Li dendrite issues during cycling have plagued the safety and cyclability of the batteries, thus limiting the practical application of Li metal batteries. Herein, we prepare a novel metal-organic-framework-based (MOF-based) succinonitrile electrolyte, which enables homogeneous and fast Li-ion (Li+) transport for dendrite-free Li deposition. Given the appropriate aperture size of the MOF skeleton, the targeted electrolyte can allow only small-size Li+ to pass through its pores, which effectively guides uniform Li+ transport. Specially, Li ions are coordinated by the C═N of the MOF framework and the C≡N of succinonitrile, which could accelerate Li+ migration jointly. These characteristics afford an excellent quasi-solid-state electrolyte with a high ionic conductivity of 7.04 × 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature and a superior Li+ transference number of 0.68. The Li/LiFePO4 battery with the MOF-based succinonitrile electrolyte exhibits dendrite-free Li deposition during the charge process, accompanied by a high capacity retention of 98.9% after 100 cycles at 0.1C.