Interface engineering by gelling sulfolane for durable and safe Li/LiCoO2 batteries in wide temperature range

Lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) with high energy densities have aroused intensive interest in electrical storage devices but suffer from the risk of thermal runaway, especially under harsh conditions temperature or abuse. Pursuing intrinsically thermally stable electrolytes higher performance and safety beyond commercial liquid is a major challenge this field. Here we report on unique, highly durable sulfolane-based gel electrolyte constructed by facile gelling strategy. This method takes advantages thermotolerant sulfolane as plasticizer strong dipole-dipole interactions to achieve gelation polymer polyvinylidene fluoride/polyethylene oxide. We systematically investigated influence gelled formation, lithium plating/stripping, solid interphase. Benefiting favorable interface engineering, remarkably enhances cyclic performances LMBs. When used Li/LiCoO2 battery, resulting enables long-term cycling stability at temperatures up 90°C. Moreover, practical pouch cells (up 190°C) has also been demonstrated accelerating rate calorimetry. These results contribute development high-safety LMBs that require abuse tolerance, energy, long calendar life.