Electrolytes able to selectively transport electrochemically active ions are of broad interest in all energy storage technologies. In lithium-ion cells, electrolytes that offer single- or near-single-ion conductivity are of interest for their ability to reduce internal energy losses and ohmic heating due to electrolyte polarization. In emergent high-energy cells based on metallic anodes, such electrolytes for fundamental reasons maintain high ionic conductivity at the anode at all current densities. For this reason, they are considered unique in their ability to stabilize metal deposition at the anode at both low and high currents. This talk considers electrokinetics of charged species at electrochemical interfaces that offer single- or near single-ion transport for anionic or cationic species. By means of direct visualization of Li deposition, it is shown that such membranes markedly reduce the propensity of Li to form rough, dendritic deposits in liquid electrolytes. The significance of these findings are discussed both in the context of the current-voltage curve in such electrolytes and from the perspective of recent continuum models for metal dendrite nucleation and growth in electrochemical cells.

Designing artificial solid-electrolyte interphases for single-ion and high-efficiency transport in batteries

256th National Meeting (2018)

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