Self-adaptive electrolytes for fast-charging batteries

Chang-Xin Zhao, Zheng Li, Bin Chen, Fu Chen and Chunsheng Wang ()
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Chang-Xin Zhao: University of Maryland
Zheng Li: University of Maryland
Bin Chen: University of Maryland
Fu Chen: University of Maryland
Chunsheng Wang: University of Maryland

Nature Energy, 2025, vol. 10, issue 7, 904-913

Abstract: Abstract Fast charging of high-energy batteries is critical for transportation electrification but remains challenging because the rapid rise in cell overpotential easily exceeds electrolytes’ fixed electrochemical stability window. Here we design a self-adaptive electrolyte with a dynamically expanding electrochemical stability window that increases in real time during charging, outpacing the rise in overpotential as the charging current intensifies. The self-adaptive electrolyte is a single-phase solution of salt and complementary oxidation- and reduction-resistant solvents at the cloud point composition but can undergo solvent separation to dynamically redistribute solvent components during charging. The oxidation-resistant solvents concentrate at the positive electrode and reduction-resistant solvents accumulate at the negative electrode, broadening the electrolyte stability window in real time during charging. Proof-of-concept experiments validate the versatility of this design in both aqueous zinc-metal and non-aqueous lithium-metal batteries, achieving high Coulombic efficiencies of negative electrodes and enhanced oxidative stability for positive electrodes.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01801-0

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