Intrinsic Nonflammable Ether Electrolytes for Ultrahigh-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Chlorine Functionality

The issues of inherent low anodic stability and high flammability hinder the deployment of the ether-based electrolytes in practical high-voltage lithium metal batteries. Here, we report a rationally designed ether-based electrolyte with chlorine functionality on ether molecular structure to address these critical challenges. The chloroether-based electrolyte demonstrates a high Li Coulombic efficiency of 99.2 % and a high capacity retention >88 % over 200 cycles for Ni-rich cathodes at an ultrahigh cut-off voltage of 4.6 V (stable even up to 4.7 V). The chloroether-based electrolyte not only greatly improves electrochemical stabilities of Ni-rich cathodes under ultrahigh voltages with interphases riched in LiF and LiCl, but possesses the intrinsic nonflammable safety feature owing to the flame-retarding ability of chlorine functional groups. This study offers a new approach to enable ether-based electrolytes for high energy density, long-life and safe Li metal batteries.

Automated summary

A rationally designed ether-based electrolyte with chlorine functionality is reported to address the issues of low anodic stability and high flammability in high-voltage lithium metal batteries. The chloroether-based electrolyte shows high Li Coulombic efficiency and capacity retention, and possesses nonflammable safety feature due to the flame-retarding ability of chlorine functional groups. This study offers a new approach for enabling ether-based electrolytes in high energy density, long-life, and safe Li metal batteries.