All-Temperature, High-Energy-Density Li/CFx Batteries Enabled by a Fluorinated Ether as a Cosolvent

Lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) batteries have received widespread attention due to their high specific energy density. However, the development of Li/CFx primary batteries is seriously hampered owing to the low electrical conductivity and poor wettability against the fluorinated carbon electrolyte. Here, we report a CFx-compatible fluorinated ether-containing electrolyte for all-temperature high-energy-density Li/CFx primary batteries. Specifically, a CFx-philic 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE) is introduced to the carbonate-based electrolyte as a cosolvent. Benefiting from the low viscosity and low freezing point of TTE, the conductivity and wettability are drastically improved, contributing to a lowered charge-transfer resistance. Thus, the modified electrolyte with TTE endows Li/CFx batteries with high energy density of 850 Wh kg(-1) at 25 degrees C and 745 Wh kg(-1) at 55 degrees C under the current density of 5000 mA g(-1), accompanied by high power density of 9931 and 10046 W kg(-1), respectively. Even at the freezing temperature of -50 degrees C, Li/CFx batteries can still exhibit a high middle value of voltage of 1.91 V, and the discharge capacity is 299 mAh g(-1) at 100 mA g(-1). The improvement of electrochemical performance over a wide temperature range from -50 to 55 degrees C has greatly expanded the application of Li/CFx batteries.

Automated summary

A CFx-compatible fluorinated ether-containing electrolyte was introduced to improve the conductivity and wettability of Li/CFx batteries, resulting in enhanced electrochemical performance at high temperatures. The modified electrolyte containing TTE significantly increased the energy density of Li/CFx batteries, enabling high power and voltage outputs across a wide temperature range from -50 to 55 degrees C.