Correlation between Electrolyte Chemistry and Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Reversible Ca Metal Anodes

The development of rechargeable Ca metal batteries (RCMBs) is hindered by the Ca2+ passivating solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs). The cation solvation structure dictated by electrolyte chemistry plays a critical role in the SEIs properties. While a relatively weak cation-solvent binding is preferred in Li metal anodes to promote anion-derived SEIs, we demonstrate an enhanced Ca deposition/stripping reversibility under a strong cation-solvent interaction, which is materialized in strongly-solvating solvent and highly-dissociated salt combinations. Such electrolyte formulations benefit the formation of solvent-occupied solvation structure and minimize the anion reduction, resulting in organic-rich/CaF2-poor SEIs for reversible Ca metal anodes. Furthermore, RCMBs paired with an organic cathode using the optimized electrolytes are demonstrated as a proof-of-concept. Our work reveals the paradigm shift in SEIs design for Ca metal anodes, opening up new opportunities for emerging RCMBs.

Automated summary

This research demonstrates the reversibility of Ca deposition/stripping in rechargeable Ca metal batteries under a strong cation-solvent interaction, resulting in organic-rich/CaF2-poor solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs). The optimized electrolyte enables the pairing of organic cathode with RCMBs.