This review summarizes the state-of-art progress in electrode materials, separators, electrolytes, and charging/discharging performance for LIBs at low temperatures.
Why are low-temperature lithium batteries better at room temperature?
This superior low-temperature battery performance was mainly attributed to the unique solvation structure of the obtain superelectrolyte. However, this electrolyte goes for the cells at very low area capacity of 1.2 mAh cm −2, which is much lower than that (5 mAh cm −2) of commercialized lithium batteries at room temperature.
In general, there are four threats in developing low-temperature lithium batteries when using traditional carbonate-based electrolytes: 1) low ionic conductivity of bulk electrolyte, 2) increased resistance of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), 3) sluggish kinetics of charge transfer, 4) slow Li diffusion throughout bulk electrodes.
Why is low temperature optimization important for rechargeable batteries?
Low-temperature optimization strategies for anodes and cathodes. In summary, the low temperature performance of rechargeable batteries is essentially important for their practical application in daily life and beyond, while challenges remain for the stable cycling of rechargeable batteries in low temperatures.
What are the advantages of a low-temperature battery?
The prerequisite to support low-temperature operation of batteries is maintaining high ionic conductivity. In contrast to the freezing of OLEs at subzero temperatures, SEs preserve solid state over a wide temperature range without the complete loss of ion-conducting function, which ought to be one of potential advantages.
How to design a low-temperature rechargeable battery?
Briefly, the key for the electrolyte design of low-temperature rechargeable batteries is to balance the interactions of various species in the solution, the ultimate preference is a mixed solvent with low viscosity, low freezing point, high salt solubility, and low desolvation barrier.
However, faced with diverse scenarios and harsh working conditions (e.g., low temperature), the successful operation of batteries suffers great challenges. At low temperature, the increased viscosity of electrolyte leads to the poor wetting of batteries and sluggish transportation of Li-ion (Li +) in bulk electrolyte.