Stable solvent-derived sulfur-rich inorganic solid electrolyte interphase via solvation modulation for lithium metal batteries

The utilization of lithium (Li) metal as an anode in batteries has drawn significant research interest. However, its widespread adoption has been hampered by the formation of Li dendrites and associated irreversible effects. In this study, we aim to develop a sulfur-rich inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) by incorporating Sodium 3,3 '-dithiodipropane '-dithiodipropane sulfonate (SPS) into a 1,3-dioxopentane/1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME/DOL) based electrolyte. The desolvation kinetics are accelerated by the unique solvation shell containing anions, as evidenced by both theoretical models and experimental data. Additionally, the combined effects of the additives lower the Li+ + diffusion energy barrier significantly, promoting the deposition of compact and chunky Li, thereby facilitating the creation of an additive-derived sulfur enhanced inorganic-rich SEI. Consequently, the resultant SEI is enriched with lithium sulfide (Li2S), 2 S), leading to enhanced coulombic efficiency, rate capability, and cyclic stability while reducing polarization potential. Symmetrical Li | Li cells subject to high current density and capacity (5.0 mA cm-- 2 and 15 mAh cm-- 2 ) demonstrate stable cycling for over 750 h. This technology demonstrates the potential to enhance the efficiency and reliability of batteries that use lithium metal anodes by reducing the formation of dendrites.