Reclaiming Inactive Lithium with a Triiodide/Iodide Redox Couple for Practical Lithium Metal Batteries

Cheng Bin Jin, Xue Qiang Zhang, Ou Wei Sheng, Shu Yu Sun, Li Peng Hou, Peng Shi, Bo Quan Li, Jia Qi Huang, Xin Yong Tao, Qiang Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

High-energy-density lithium (Li) metal batteries suffer from a short lifespan owing to apparently ceaseless inactive Li accumulation, which is accompanied by the consumption of electrolyte and active Li reservoir, seriously deteriorating the cyclability of batteries. Herein, a triiodide/iodide (I3−/I−) redox couple initiated by stannic iodide (SnI4) is demonstrated to reclaim inactive Li. The reduction of I3− converts inactive Li into soluble LiI, which then diffuses to the cathode side. The oxidation of LiI by the delithiated cathode transforms cathode into the lithiation state and regenerates I3−, reclaiming Li ion from inactive Li. The regenerated I3− engages the further redox reactions. Furthermore, the formation of Sn mitigates the corrosion of I3− on active Li reservoir sacrificially. In working Li | LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 batteries, the accumulated inactive Li is significantly reclaimed by the reversible I3−/I− redox couple, improving the lifespan of batteries by twice. This work initiates a creative solution to reclaim inactive Li for prolonging the lifespan of practical Li metal batteries.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22990-22995
Number of pages6
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume60
Issue number42
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 11 2021
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Catalysis

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