Breakthrough in Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Science and Technology China have developed a novel electrolyte that overcomes significant challenges in high-voltage and low-temperature lithium-ion battery (LIB) applications. The study, published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, presents a propylene carbonate-based electrolyte that addresses both high-voltage durability and low-temperature functionality.

This innovative electrolyte is engineered with difluoroethylene carbonate (DFEC) and a propylene carbonate (PC) solvent, which facilitates oxidative resistance and reduces interfacial impedance. In 5 Ah pouch cells, the electrolyte demonstrates exceptional performance, retaining 76.7% capacity after 2000 cycles at room temperature and maintaining 91% of its capacity at -20 degrees Celsius. These results surpass conventional electrolytes based on ethylene carbonate (EC).

Key Takeaways:

  • The novel electrolyte addresses high-voltage durability and low-temperature functionality in lithium-ion batteries.
  • The PC-based electrolyte is engineered with DFEC, which reduces interfacial impedance and enhances oxidative resistance.
  • The electrolyte demonstrates 76.7% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at room temperature and maintains 91% of its capacity at -20 degrees Celsius.
  • This breakthrough presents a scalable solution for advanced LIB technologies.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

Statistics:

  • 76.7%: capacity retention of the novel electrolyte after 2000 cycles at room temperature.
  • 91%: capacity retention of the novel electrolyte at -20 degrees Celsius.
  • 2000: number of cycles performed to evaluate the electrolyte's durability.
  • 5 Ah: capacity of the pouch cells used in the study.
  • 2.8-4.4 V: operating voltage range of the pouch cells.
  • -20 degrees C: temperature at which the electrolyte's performance is evaluated.

Sources:

  • A Weakly-solvating Propylene Carbonate Electrolyte for High-voltage and Low-temperature Lithium-ion Batteries. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2025;64(38).
  • NewsRx. Researchers from University of Science and Technology China Report Recent Findings in Electronics (A Weakly-solvating Propylene Carbonate Electrolyte for High-voltage and Low-temperature Lithium-ion Batteries). Journal of Technology & Science. October 19, 2025; p 4711.